System and method of facilitating and evaluating user thinking about an arbitrary problem using an archetype problem structure

ABSTRACT

Preferred embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods of facilitating and evaluating user thinking about an arbitrary problem. The system includes first logic to facilitate user specification of the problem to populate a problem statement structure. It also includes second logic to facilitate user specification of a conclusion, related to the problem specification, to populate a conclusion statement structure. It also includes third logic to facilitate user creation and specification of knowledge, related to at least one of the problem specification and the conclusion specification, to populate a knowledge structure. Certain embodiments include control logic to persuade user interaction with the first through third logic to a sequence of interactions within a predefined set of interaction sequences, wherein the predefined set of interactions define an archetype process for user thinking about the problem. Other embodiments include model logic to track user interaction with the first through third logic to construct a user model structure of user development and population of the user model structure, conclusion statement structure, and knowledge structure, and structure analysis logic to analyze the user model structure relative to an archetype model structure. Some embodiments include model logic to track user interaction with the first through third logic to construct a user model structure of user development and population of the problem structure, conclusion statement structure, and knowledge structure; and visual feedback logic to depict an archetype problem-solution structure and to depict the user model structure. And other embodiments include tracking logic to monitor user interactions with the first through third logic and to build a corresponding model of such interactions so that the model, and the corresponding user thinking process, may be evaluated. The system may monitor the user&#39;s process of problem solving and the structure of the user&#39;s problem solving approach and make suggestions to the user.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) from U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/425,343 filedNov. 11, 2002, entitled “Integrated Thinking and Knowledge Construct,and Building and Viewing Method and System for Same”, which isincorporated herein by reference.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

[0002] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains ormay contain material, which is subject to copyright protection. Thecopyright owner has no objection to the photocopy reproduction by anyoneof the patent document or the patent disclosure in exactly the form itappears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, butotherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The invention relates to systems and methods of facilitating andevaluating user thinking about an arbitrary problem.

BACKGROUND

[0004] It is widely recognized that good problem solving and thinkingskills need to be learned and supported. The availability of computersand electronic information bring an opportunity to support this need.There is today no approach that teaches and supports creative problemsolving and thinking as a whole, integrated discipline, including theevolution of the person's understanding of the problem, exercising oflogic and judgment, development of knowledge and ideas, and the masteryof a comprehensive answer.

[0005] Today's problems are often complex, many are highly qualitativeand difficult to specify, many often lack absolute answers. At the sametime, information availability is almost limitless. In addition, morealternative points of view lead to and require more complicatedarguments and solutions. In school, problems like understanding thecauses of WWII and its impact on the peoples and governments of Europe,in business problems like deciding whether a widely held directionalview is accurate or desirable—both are examples that demandunderstanding multiple inputs, multiple possible solutions and manythinking interrelationships.

[0006] Educational experts including the U.S. Department of Educationrecognize thinking and problem solving as a significant and importantchallenge for educators and workers in the 21^(st) century. In a 2003report, skills critical to teach children for the future include:“thinking and problem-solving skills that use information andcommunications technologies to manage complexity, solve problems andthink critically, creatively and systematically.”

[0007] Today, the teaching of problem solving and thinking and relatedtopics occurs as a result of many disparate activities. Beginning inabout the fourth grade and continuing through high school, college andinto adulthood, students are exposed to some of the components ofproblem solving in manners designed to increase their understanding,experience, and comfort. In the fourth grade, they often have theirfirst exposure to independent research. Most are exposed to thescientific process and its defined steps and to some form of steps forresearching and writing papers; some have experiences in developingmulti-media presentations. But these exercises are mostly taughtseparately and independently, and unpredictable in their results.Whether a student becomes an “end to end” problem solver—capable ofdefining a problem, finding and researching information, developingtheir own understanding, defining alternatives and eventually an answersupported by their work—is uncertain.

[0008] Computer and information technology support of problem solvingand thinking is fractured and focuses primarily on the informationhandling activities. Separate and independent software programs supportsearch and retrieval, information manipulation and management,information presentation and communication, and others. While this maybe comfortable for many adults, little computer support exists for“thinking” and analysis logic particularly for the more qualitativetopics that predominate. There are no software enabled processes thathelp guide good thinking and address the complexity of today's problems.

[0009] It is also well documented that different people learndifferently (Howard Gardner, in Frames of Mind, The Theory of MultipleIntelligences, for example). Similarly, adults solve problems byapplying their own styles. These alternative learning and problemsolving styles may be equally good as long as they lead to an equallygood “answer” and the thinking that has occurred has developed a robust,internally valid set of understanding and choices, sound logic andconsistent support of conclusion and arguments.

[0010] The learning of many skills is enhanced by observing models;students and adults often learn by observing and emulating modelbehavior. Expert problem solvers know how to approach the problem, howto organize their thinking, how to manage the information and knowledgeactivities they need to do, how to evaluate where they are along the wayand adjust their emphases to achieve a good result. Teachers and expertadults can try to serve as models in teaching problem solving, butconsistent, comprehensive problem solving and thinking models are hardto find and even harder to see and understand.

[0011] There is a need for a software tool that enables and supports acomprehensive problem solving and thinking process, especially ininformation intensive situations.

SUMMARY

[0012] The invention provides systems and methods of facilitating andevaluating user thinking about an arbitrary problem.

[0013] According to another aspect of the invention, a system includesfirst logic to facilitate user specification of the problem to populatea problem statement structure. It also includes second logic tofacilitate user specification of a conclusion statement, related to theproblem statement, to populate a conclusion statement structure. It alsoincludes third logic to facilitate user creation and specification ofknowledge, related to at least one of the problem statement and theconclusion statement, to populate a knowledge structure. It alsoincludes model logic to track user interaction with the first throughthird logic to construct a user model structure of user development andpopulation of the user model structure, conclusion statement structure,and knowledge structure, and structure analysis logic to analyze theuser model structure relative to an archetype model structure.

[0014] With the above, the system and method can facilitate and evaluateuser thinking by monitoring the user's structure of problem-solving.

[0015] In this fashion, the visual feedback logic may help coach theuser in his or her problem solving approach.

[0016] According to another aspect of the invention, the knowledgestructure may contain data, information, or analysis specifications.

[0017] According to another aspect of the invention, the system mayinclude logic to specify meaning statements or subtopic statements.

[0018] According to another aspect of the invention, various views maybe created to display relevant structures and to provide workspaces tocreate, derive or specify knowledge, conclusions, problem specificationsand the like.

[0019] According to another aspect of the invention, the system includeslogic to provide suggestion feedback to the user of next steps for auser to take, in which the logic to provide is responsive to prior userinteractions. The suggestion feedback may include logic to perform gapanalysis on the at least a subset of the problem statement structure,the conclusion statement structure, the knowledge structure, and therelations therebetween to suggest next steps for the user to create orpopulate structures identified from the gap analysis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0020]FIG. 1 is a conceptual depiction of the preferred embodiment.

[0021]FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of an overview of one embodiment ofgroups of components of the archetype structure.

[0022]FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram of an example development path foran integrated thinking and knowledge construct.

[0023]FIG. 1C is a schematic diagram of an example alternativedevelopment path for an integrated thinking and knowledge construct.

[0024]FIG. 1D is a schematic diagram of another example alternativedevelopment path for an integrated thinking and knowledge construct.

[0025]FIG. 1E is a schematic diagram of example alternative viewpointsthat may be provided to the user by representations.

[0026]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of one example computingimplementation environment for one embodiment.

[0027]FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an example architecture for oneembodiment.

[0028]FIG. 3A is a flowchart showing the general interaction of thearchitecture modules of one embodiment.

[0029]FIG. 3B is a flowchart further related to the transactions andfunctions associated with one embodiment of process manager suggestor.

[0030]FIG. 3B-10 is an additional flowchart further related to thetransactions and functions associated with one embodiment of processmanager suggestor.

[0031]FIG. 3C is a flowchart of transactions related to the generalfunctions of the example software module view and representationmanager.

[0032]FIG. 3C-10 is a flowchart providing further detail regarding oneembodiment of the example view and representation manager module.

[0033]FIG. 3C-20 is a flowchart providing further detail regardingoptimization by one embodiment of the view and representation manager.

[0034]FIG. 4A is an example structure for a topic set as a thinkingstructure of an integrated construct of one embodiment.

[0035]FIG. 4A-10 is an example of one embodiment of a topic set,specifically a topic set created for a history assignment in aneducational setting.

[0036]FIG. 4B is an example of the addition of information constructs toan integrated construct of one embodiment, in the case in which a topicset has been previously defined.

[0037]FIG. 4C is an example of the addition of an analysis construct toan integrated construct of one embodiment, in the case in which a topicset and certain information constructs have been previously defined.

[0038]FIG. 4D is an example of the addition of a meaning statement to anintegrated construct of one embodiment, in the case in which a topicset, certain information constructs, and an analysis construct have beenpreviously defined.

[0039]FIG. 4E is an example of linkages between components of anintegrated construct of one embodiment.

[0040]FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of one embodiment of the method andprocess provided through the archetype process.

[0041]FIG. 5A is a flow chart showing additional detail regardingdefining the project initiation, goal and problem definition.

[0042]FIG. 5B is a flow chart showing additional detail regarding oneembodiment of the question and topic assistance tool.

[0043]FIG. 5B-10 is an example embodiment of the categories of modeltopics or questions of one embodiment of the topic assistance tool.

[0044]FIG. 5B-20 is an example embodiment of the subcategories of modeltopics or questions of one embodiment of the topic assistance tool.

[0045]FIG. 5B-30 is an example embodiment of model subtopics topics ofone embodiment.

[0046]FIG. 5B-40 is an example embodiment of model secondary subtopicsof one embodiment of the present invention.

[0047]FIG. 5C is a flowchart of transactions related to one embodimentof creating a new information construct.

[0048]FIG. 5D is a flowchart of transactions related to one embodimentof formatting or modifying an information construct.

[0049]FIG. 5D-10 is an example of an unformatted entry approach for theinformation construct of one embodiment.

[0050]FIG. 5D-20 is an example of formatted entry approach for theinformation construct of one embodiment.

[0051]FIG. 5E is a flow chart of transactions related to one embodimentof acquiring information through an Internet browser or other electronicsource.

[0052]FIG. 5F is a flowchart of transactions related to one embodimentof creating a new analysis construct.

[0053]FIG. 5G is a flowchart of transactions related to one embodimentof formatting an analysis construct.

[0054]FIG. 5H is a flowchart of transactions related to one embodimentof adding elements to an analysis construct.

[0055]FIG. 5H-10 is an example of relationships between an analysisconstruct and information constructs of one embodiment.

[0056]FIG. 5H-20 is an example of a partially completed analysisconstruct work space of one embodiment.

[0057]FIG. 5H-30 is another example of a completed analysis construct.

[0058]FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an example of one embodiment ofregions that may be used in representing an integrated thinking andknowledge construct and the associated method and process.

[0059]FIG. 6A is a schematic view of example types of views orrepresentations that may be provided by one embodiment of the presentinvention, being shown as regions and slices as well as the overall andindividual component views.

[0060]FIG. 6B is a schematic depiction of one example embodiment ofregions as representational areas in one 3-D embodiment.

[0061]FIG. 6C is another schematic depiction of one example embodimentof regions as representational areas in one 3-D embodiment.

[0062]FIG. 6D is schematic depiction of one example embodiment of“slices” as a means of providing representations in one 3-D embodiment.

[0063]FIG. 6E shows a schematic depiction of the use of next visibleviews and implied next visible views in a 3-D embodiment.

[0064]FIGS. 6I to 6V are alternative example shapes which may be used torepresent the integrated construct of the present invention as a threedimensional object.

[0065]FIG. 7 is a flow chart of the views provided by one embodiment ofthe present invention and example navigational paths between theseviews.

[0066]FIG. 7A is an example of one embodiment of a representationfocused on a subtopic in one 3 dimensional representation form.

[0067]FIG. 7B is a schematic illustrating an example of a 2 dimensionalembodiment of regions and subset or slice views.

[0068]FIG. 7C is an example of one representation in a 2 dimensionalembodiment, focused on an individual subtopic view.

[0069]FIG. 7D is an example of one representation of an embodiment of alinkage view, specifically focused on a person information construct.

[0070]FIG. 7E is an example of a navigator device used in oneembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0071] The system provides a software tool to evaluate, facilitate andconvey user thinking about an arbitrary problem. In preferredembodiments, the tool begins with a base-line structure in which toaddress an arbitrary problem. At its simplest, this structure includesthe idea of specifying and inter-relating the problem or topic to beaddressed, specifying a proposed conclusion to the problem, andspecifying knowledge. The tool provides various user mechanisms for theuser to develop their thinking. The tool provides the ability topopulate various structures with various specifications of topics,conclusions, and knowledge, and their interrelationships. Moresignificantly, the tool provides intelligence to the process and thestructure of the user's work. The tool monitors and tracks theinteractions of the user to determine whether the user's approach orprocess toward addressing the problem might benefit with certainspecific suggestions to aid the user's development or thinking. Inaddition, the tool monitors the structure of the user's thinking todetermine whether the user's problem definition, knowledge, and proposedconclusion and underlying thinking is well-founded in a structural andin some cases, logical sense. To do the former, the tool tracks thespecific interactions of the user to monitor things like interactionsspent specifying details and collecting data vs. developing conclusions.To do the latter, the tool analyzes the structure of the user'spresently proposed conclusion, for example, analyzing whether it issupported by knowledge. In preferred embodiments, the former and latterare implemented with rules-based inference engines to make suggestedactions for the user, in a variety of ways.

[0072] The tool provides an ability to encapsulate or contain the stateof thinking and development in an entity called an ITKC. This entityintegrates the topic, conclusion and knowledge, and the tool conveysthis integrated state preferably using a visual, physical metaphor suchas a three-dimensional object, although two dimensional embodiments mayalso be used. The tool inherently contains an exemplary ITKC, and insome sense this is a core, exemplary or archetype structure for anarbitrary problem. The tool uses the archetype problem solutionstructure and the archetype or preferred process as the basis forproviding guidance to the user in their development of their thinking,and in response their actions. Initially, the user is provided with astarting point for their project that in a preferred embodiment isundeveloped other than to model that an exemplary structure includes atleast a topic, conclusion, and knowledge area. A more specific startingpoint for user development may be provided, for example, a super-user,teacher or other source may provide more specific structure to theproblem and perhaps some initial content or the like to provide a morespecific ITKC starting point. The user then may further develop thisprovided initial ITKC in the process of their thinking evolution. Asthey add structures, content and relationships to their thinking, theirpersonal ITKC will correspondingly modify.

[0073] The tools to track user interactions and make suggestions combinewith the interrelated visual feedback views to in effect guide the userin an archetype process for developing their thinking about an arbitraryproblem. By this it is meant, a model or exemplary process or way toapproach the problem procedurally. Since the user will develop theirITKC, the applicable archetype problem solution structure and applicableportions of the exemplary process will change in relation to the presentITKC (i.e., model or exemplary structure will depend on the user'scurrent ITKC to which it is compared). Thus, the applicable archetypestructure and exemplary process are in some sense dynamic. In addition,the archetype process is state dependent, meaning the processsuggestions made and monitored will depend on the state of the user'sactual processing and interactions.

[0074] The tool thus facilitates an exemplary process for accomplishingsound thinking and knowledge development about arbitrary problems andprovides the user with the ability to develop their own thinking andknowledge about the problem through the development an ITKC orintegrated thinking and knowledge construct. The archetype process andstructure facilitate the user from conception of the problem (orquestion, issue, subject, topic, or area of interest) through thecreation and viewing of a summary understanding, answer or other result.For purposes of this application, the terms ITKC, “integrated thinkingand knowledge construct,” “thinking and knowledge construct,”“integrated knowledge and thinking construct,” “knowledge and thinkingconstruct” and “integrated construct” are used interchangeably.

[0075] Referring now to the Figures, in FIG. 1, in a preferredembodiment, the tool provides (i) an archetype structure (block 1500)which provides components and options for creating, structuring,developing, and relating the set of components a user may employ indeveloping their thinking and knowledge about an arbitrary problem; (ii)the user developed model or ITKC, indicated in block 1000, which iscomprised of user selected and developed thinking and knowledgestructures and encapsulates the relationships and process historyconducted by the user; (iii) an archetype process, as indicated in block2000, for thinking about and solving arbitrary problems, which enablesand helps guide the user in their work; (iv) tracking, evaluating, andinference modules which monitor and evaluate the user's actions againstarchetype or exemplary structure and process rules, and make suggestionsto the user accordingly; and (v) an ongoing representation of the user'sdeveloped model or ITKC, as indicated in block 100, against variousviews that convey archetype structure and process, as well as potentialnatural next thinking and working steps, and therefore provide ongoingcoaching to the user through visual feedback.

[0076] The user developed model is referred to herein as an ITKC orIntegrated Thinking and Knowledge Construct. It should be understoodthat the use of the word construct is employed to convey both (i) acomponent that is constructed and evident to the user; and (ii) theunderlying data storage and retrieval requirements for achieving thedescribed component or components and parts (see additional descriptionbelow regarding options which may be employed in the data structure andimplementation approach). In a preferred embodiment, the user developedmodel can subsequently be tracked and evaluated against archetypestructural expectations by the tool, including but not limited to itemssuch as the types of components selected, the prevalence of componentsselected, the completeness of components used at various stages in thedevelopment of the ITKC (in terms of content, structure, and linkages)and others. The user process can similarly be tracked and evaluatedagainst the archetype process rules, including but not limited to itemssuch as what portions of process the user elects to try or use, theuser's response history to suggestions made by the system, and theuser's selection and use of various views which constitute thinkingsubsets. As described elsewhere herein, in a preferred embodiment, suchtracking is used for direct feedback to the user, the generation ofsuggestions, and various reporting and tracking activities for theprimary user and potentially for users like teachers.

[0077] In one preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1A, the archetypestructure for an arbitrary problem 10 may include a thinking construct20 and a knowledge construct 40 which may each include a plurality ofcomponents. The groups of components of the thinking construct 20preferably include a number of thinking structures which in a preferredembodiment may include: (i) a topic set 22 for defining and maintainingthe definition of the subject, topic, questions, problem, issue, area ofinterest or other suitable descriptions of the project, and preferablyincluding both a main topic or problem and one or more subtopics; (ii) ameaning statement set 24 for developing and maintaining the user'sperspectives regarding the data and/or analysis including one or morebut not limited to: conclusions, observations, hypotheses, theories,summary statements, perspectives, ideas, or any similar items; and (iii)an answer or summary set 26 for developing and maintaining the highestlevel answer or summary viewpoint of the results attained relating tothe project. In a preferred embodiment, the components of the knowledgeconstruct 40 may generally include: (i) information constructs 42 forcreating, organizing, and maintaining data and information elementsregarding the project, including structured and unstructured formats;(ii) analysis constructs 44 for developing or associating a plurality ofanalyses regarding the project, which may be based on data, informationelements and/or information constructs created with via this inventionor gathered from other electronic sources and associated with theintegrated construct, and for maintaining the analytical components instructured and/or unstructured formats; and (iii) portions of data 46which are not structured according to information constructs or analysisconstructs, but which are associated with the integrated construct. Theintegrated construct further includes the linkages or relationships 60that may exist or be created among and between any of these individualcomponents and groups of components. In certain cases, the preferredembodiment provides one or more links automatically in response to useractions as the user proceeds through the various stages of developmentof the integrated construct. As discussed below, these links help theuser understand and document the relationship between various constructknowledge or thinking components.

[0078] For simplicity purposes, this application primarily refers to thebuilding, creation, use and sharing of a single ITKC or integratedconstruct, although it should be appreciated that the preferredembodiment is preferably operable to enable one or more users to createone or more integrated constructs, which may be standalone or related toone another. It should also be appreciated that a user may include oneperson or a group of people.

[0079] The integrated construct or ITKC which is built by the user canbe associated with or contain as little information as the title orlabel the user assigns to the integrated construct. The integratedconstruct can be associated with or contain one, some or none of thecomponent types enabled to the user by the preferred embodiment. Theintegrated construct can also contain or be associated with a one, noneor a plurality of empty, partially completed, or completed components,as described below. The output of the preferred embodiment may beelectronic or paper based. The method and system also enables users toinclude electronic information from other standard computerized toolsand information formats such as images and documents that may be copiedand pasted into or otherwise associated with portions of the integratedconstruct.

[0080] The archetype structure and method and process of the preferredembodiment are preferably modular in their embodiment to enable the useof individual or subset combinations of components in the progressivebuilding of the integrated construct, and the corresponding associatedportions of method and process. The method and components provided bythe preferred embodiment are based on the understanding of experts incompleting information intensive development, thinking and knowledgedevelopment about arbitrary problems. The method and system preferablyincludes guidance for the user as the user proceeds in the creation ofthe integrated construct, through the options and tools that areprovided to the user, through tracking user actions and providingsuggestions to the user, and through the design of the visual feedbackrepresentations, work spaces and navigation provided to the user. Themethod and process can be used or implemented in a linear fashion, butare preferably modular to enable creation of the components or the useof the archetype process in a non-linear fashion thereby supportingdifferent individual thinking and problem solving styles, and differentkinds and complexities of problems or topics, as discussed furtherbelow.

[0081] The representations and user interfaces provided by the preferredembodiment offer several distinct advantages, including but not limitedto the following: (i) the design of the one or more two-dimensional orpreferably three dimensional representations depict the development ofan ITKC and help guide and provide access for the user to the associatedarchetype process and archetype structure; (ii) in the three-dimensionalform, the display and manipulation of the integrated construct behavesas though it were a physical three dimensional object, in that theintegrated construct can be rotated, flipped, turned, zoomed in on andzoomed out on; (iii) each two or three dimensional representation of thetotal integrated construct represents the whole thinking for a userabout a problem or project, with parts that have meaning in relation tothat whole, and the relationships are made readily apparent; (iv) therepresentations provided by the preferred embodiment are in and ofthemselves a form of guidance, as they differentiate types of thinkingwork, provide meaningful workspaces for working on their problem fromdifferent vantage points, and suggest by their visual and placerelationships and specific design where the user is in relation to thearchetype process and structure, and next steps the user might want toconsider (as discussed below).

[0082] Order of Work and Thinking in the Construction of the IntegratedConstruct

[0083] The preferred embodiment facilitates the development of anintegrated construct through a plurality of different paths, accordingto the user's preferred thinking and problem solving approaches, thenature and complexity of the problem being addressed, and otherdeterminants. Referring now to FIGS. 1B, 1C and 1D, the order in whichproblems or inquiry based projects may be completed and the integratedconstructs and their various components are built and used can varywidely. The starting point, for instance, as shown schematically in FIG.1B, may be defining the topic set 22 by inputting or defining an issue,question or problem and its descriptors, with subsequent focus ondeveloping data 46 and information constructs 42 and analysis constructs44 and finally in developing views on an answer or summary view 26 (aswould be the case in conducting most independent student projects orresearch papers). Alternatively, as schematically shown in FIG. 1C, thestarting point may be an answer or summary set 26 by inputting a singleor set of alternative answers, hypotheses, or summary views 26, forexample, with subsequent activities focusing on collecting and analyzinginformation in data 46, information constructs 42 and/or analysisconstructs 44, the clarification of topics or questions 22 relevant tothe alternative answers or views, and so on (as would often be the casewith adults who are deliberating between alternative answers to aproblem or have a hypothesis that is to be tested and proved; this isalso the general process for the scientific method). Similarly, asschematically shown in FIG. 1D, the starting point may be a set ofinformation constructs 42 which includes a set of information that hasbeen previously gathered, that are to be interpreted, with subsequentfocus on the meaning statements 24 and analysis constructs 44 that maybe developed based on such information (as might be the case ineducational settings and activities around a set of content, forexample). It should be appreciated that a plurality of paths and aplurality of orders of use of the components as well as choice of thecomponent types that may comprise an integrated construct are all inaccordance with the preferred embodiment. The modularity and flexibilityof the method and process that facilitates the flexibility in paths forintegrated construct development provides a significant advantage.

[0084] It should thus be appreciated that the preferred embodimentpreferably provides certain visual and general method of stability orfamiliarity to the user from the very outset of the definition of anarbitrary problem through the completion of an integrated construct.

[0085] The preferred embodiment thus provides guidance while alsoproviding flexibility in the approach to problems and inquiry basedprojects, enabling the user to address an inquiry based project in anatural, progressive way.

[0086] Applications of the Integrated Construct

[0087] The archetype structure and process that provides for the abilityto develop integrated constructs and the associated process, method andsystem of the preferred embodiment can be employed in a wide variety ofdifferent circumstances. As discussed above, one of the most prevalentuses is likely to be in supporting a user faced with a problem orsimilar project that may generally involve one, some or all of thefollowing: (i) some degree of defining one or more problems, issues,questions or other area of interest; (ii) gathering, organizing anddepicting information and/or preparing understanding or analysis aboutthat problem, issue, question or area of interest; (iii) determining anddeveloping the user's own understanding, perspectives and/or opinionabout that problem, issue, topic, question, or area of interest and theknowledge they have developed; (iv) constructing meaning about theproblem, issue, topic or area of interest, and/or adding the user's ownthinking, which may include the user's creative thoughts, theories,conclusions, and/or perspectives or other similar items; (v) determiningsome kind of culminating answer or summary view for their project orproblem; (vi) evaluating progress and adjusting their approach along theway, evaluating that the results are sound and follow principles of goodthinking and problem solving; (vii) portraying or otherwisecommunicating the user's results in completed form and/or while inprocess. Although the preferred embodiment supports the totality ofactivities involved in such arbitrary problems or inquiry basedprojects, the preferred embodiment can be used effectively to supportand enable any one, some or all of these activities in absence of acomplete process for an arbitrary problem or inquiry based project orfor any subset of combination of these activities.

[0088] The preferred embodiment may be used in learning environments(such as primary or secondary schools, colleges and universities) aswell as in commercial environments (such as corporations, partnershipsand other businesses) and non-commercial environments (such as in homeor personal projects). In a preferred embodiment, the archetype processand structure can be used in almost any understanding and/or problemsolving or opinion situation, in place of a text paper, an electronicpresentation, or a web site.

[0089] Certain Advantages of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

[0090] The preferred embodiment can be employed in many differentcircumstances and by many different types of users. This enables bettertransfer of learning of thinking skills across problems or projects fora single user, and sharing such learning across users.

[0091] Another advantage of the preferred embodiment is that thearchetype process and structure provide a modular approach that enablethe user to navigate flexibly across the components of the integratedconstruct and the steps of the process and method, including a pluralityof different entry points. Different thinking and problem solving stylescan be supported, and yet still benefit from the guidance and trackingabilities of the tool.

[0092] While the preferred embodiment provides for support of a widerange of types and complexities of problems, issues and topics fromdefinition of a topic of interest through creation and depiction of thesummary understanding, solution or result, the steps and components ofthe preferred embodiment can be used individually or in subsetcombinations thereof.

[0093] The preferred embodiment enables the visualization and feedbackof developing and completed thinking and knowledge about a problem notonly for the immediate user, but the ITKC can be shared with otherusers.

[0094] Other advantages of the preferred embodiment include, but are notlimited to the following: (i) the scope of the archetype structure andprocess may include and integrate not only data and information orknowledge related to a problem, but importantly, how the user chooses todefine the problem, question or topic they are trying to solve and themeaning, viewpoint or answer the user chooses to create from theinformation and analyses the user collects and/or creates; (ii) the ITKCthat the user develops is an ongoing detailed and high level, highlyrelated construction that encapsulates their thinking and knowledge workand can therefore be tracked and used as the basis for guidance; (iii)the preferred embodiment provides the ability to create, manage, view,and maintain components and simple and complex linkages between thecomponents as the integrated construct is developed, both vertically(such as in levels of detail) and horizontally (such as in informationalrelationships); (iv) the archetype structure and representations maydifferentiate classes of types of thinking and knowledge related workinto a set of identifiable regions which focus on the particularthinking or knowledge activity; (v); (vi) the representations mayprovide a way of abstracting away from the detailed content and linkagesduring appropriate thinking and knowledge activities, while stillproviding access to detail as desired; (vii) the representations mayprovide optimal combinations of components for different work activitieswith their associated method and process, and may use visualrepresentations and other methods to provide the user with suggestionson next steps or views, and others as evident elsewhere herein.

[0095] Implementation Approach

[0096] One embodiment within a computer environment is depicted in FIG.2, with elements of this embodiment generally including: (i) a set ofcomputer software programs 90 resident on or operating through acomputer processor 91 a and 91 b; (ii) a suitable form of data storageand management 93 capable of facilitating the storage and retrieval ofmultiple components of the integrated construct, any associatedlinkages, as well as process history, user profiles, and specific ITKCcomponent content and characteristics; (iii) a graphical user interface96 or other suitable representation mechanism or form 97, whetherdirectly connected to a CPU 91 or working through a network 95 c toaccess a remote CPU 91 or other display mechanism of some kind; and (iv)likely access to other electronic information sources such as theInternet 95 a and other electronic sources, whether resident on the sameCPU as indicated in block 94 d, as the programs or accessible via alocal or other network 95 b. The preferred embodiment may also co-residewith other standard tools, such as a word processor 94 a, a spreadsheetprocessor 94 c, and Internet browser 94 b and other such tools. Asstated below, the preferred embodiment may be resident on a local CPU 91or accessible remotely over local networks 95 b or the Internet block 95a. As also described more fully below, the embodiments are not limitedby type of operating system, 92.

[0097]FIG. 3 depicts one example architecture for one embodiment isoperable to provide the logic, method and process, capabilities andcomponents, and representations for one or more users. In thisembodiment, the architecture software modules represented in FIG. 3interact to provide the functionality described herein, and which in oneembodiment generally include: (i) a representation or graphical userinterface 100; (ii) a view manager 200 or like module(s) whichfacilitates the representations or graphical user interface, the statusof their evolving ITKC and portions of associated process and contentbeing presented to the user; (iii) a process manager suggestor 300 whichutilizes the archetype structure and process to provide help and guidesto the user; (iv) a process manager 400 or like module which facilitatesthe user in constructing their ITKC based on and guided by the archetypestructure; iv) a linkage manager 600 or like module which updateslinkages among and between the components of the integrated constructand groups of components, in some cases automatically and in other casesin response to user actions; (vi) an update manager 700 or like modulewhich updates the content and structure of the integrated construct inresponse to user actions; and (vii) the content of the integratedconstruct and its associated structure or formats, stored in a suitableform of data storage and retrieval mechanisms 800. These generalsoftware architectural modules are described in greater detail followingthe description of the method and process of the invention providedbelow.

[0098] It should be appreciated that the specific embodiment may beoperative in a plurality of electronic and computerized environments, asdescribed more fully below. It should further be appreciated that theprecise boundaries of computer programs or other implementationmechanisms can differ from those represented in the general softwarearchitecture depicted in FIG. 3 and still be in accordance with thepreferred embodiment. It should further be appreciated that although theembodiments rendered in FIG. 2 and in FIG. 3 show a division betweenprocess and data, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is beobject oriented or at the least highly based on object oriented designprinciples. The modularity of the method and process and itscorrespondence in structure to the components of the integratedconstruct lend themselves readily to object oriented implementation.

[0099] The storage and management of the data/information and structuralrelationships that comprise the integrated construct can be created andaccomplished through the use of a plurality of alternative, readilyavailable mechanisms and approaches. It should be appreciated that aplurality of different data storage formats and associated creationmechanisms may be used to facilitate the process and integratedconstruct in accordance with the present invention. Given the generalpurpose and nature of the invention, the optimal implementationmechanisms for data storage and creation will differ according to theamount and complexity of the information, as well as the size andcomplexity of knowledge and thinking constructs being included in orassociated with the integrated construct. These options will be readilyapparent to those skilled in the art. One of the advantages of theintegrated construct's architecture is that the process and constructcan be implemented over a broad range of project complexities and broadrange of amounts of data/information while still utilizing the samegeneral user components, process, tools, regions, methods, and to agreat extent, interface or representations.

[0100] The interface representation, process, method, and underlyinglogic and information architecture for the integrated construct do notemploy assumptions about the underlying operating system. In onecomputerized embodiment, the present invention may be implemented usingone or more computer programs, each of which executes under the controlof an operating system, such as Windows, OS2, DOS, AIX, UNIX, MAC OS andothers, and causes the computer to perform the desired functions asdescribed herein. Using the present specifications, the invention may beimplemented as a machine, process, or article of manufacture by usingstandard programming and/or engineering techniques to produce softwarefirmware, hardware and any combination thereof.

[0101] Generally, in the computerized embodiment, the computer programsand/or operating system are tangibly embodied in a computer readabledevice or media, such as memory, data storage devices, and/or datacommunication devices, thereby making a computer program product orarticle of manufacture according to the present invention, which mayencompass a computer program accessible from any suitable computer orelectronic readable device or media. The present invention can similarlybe implemented with a plurality of configurations and devices.

[0102] Moreover, in the computerized embodiment, the computer programsand operating system are generally comprised of instructions which, whenread and executed by computers, cause the computers to perform the stepsnecessary to implement and/or use the present invention. Under controlof the operating system, the computer programs may be loaded frommemory, data storage devices, and/or data communication devices into thememories of the computers for use during actual operations. The presentinvention can thus be implemented in a local or remote processingenvironment, including use of a single computer, servers, the Internetor other forms of networked processing and communication. It should beappreciated that many modifications can be made to this implementationconfiguration in accordance with the present invention.

[0103] Media Types

[0104] The present invention facilitates the incorporation of aplurality of media types in each of its components and activities,including but not limited to alphanumeric characters, images, graphics,video, quantitative sets, three dimensional renderings, etc. It iscommon in the art of manually or paper based inquiry based projects toincorporate and use any or all of these information or media types, andit is similarly common in the art of computer programming, datadelivered via the Internet and other electronic based information toincorporate a plurality of different information or media types. Itshould therefore be appreciated that the present invention is notintended to exclude any media type from the description, but rather toincorporate the plurality of media types common in the forms describedabove and likely to be incorporated into such forms over time.

[0105] User Interaction

[0106] In one embodiment of the present invention, user interaction withthe system is accomplished through the manipulation of one or more userinteraction, interface or input devices, such as a computer mouse,trackball, keyboard, touch pad, touch screen or stylus. Actions by auser with one or more of these interaction devices may cause a pluralityof results, including but not limited to: (i) movement of a visualmarker (e.g., pointer or cursor) across or on a representation providedby the system such as on a suitable display device; (ii) changes in therepresentations provided by the invention; or (iii) indication by theuser that a component available to the user is to be selected forfurther action in some manner. Throughout the description of thedetailed method, process, and system of the present invention, referenceis made to user interactions such as these. “Selection” as used hereinis intended to convey any suitable electronic means by which a user canindicate that the user wishes to initiate the relevant action associatedwith that selection. Similarly, movements by the user within and acrossthe representations provided by the system are described as a way tochange position and therefore access the relevant aspects of the methodand system, or to change views of the integrated construct, itscomponents or the regions or cognitive regions of the integratedconstruct as described herein. Such event handling approaches are wellknown to those skilled in the art. It should be appreciated that the useof other user interaction devices that result in similar inputs or cuesto the system of the present invention may be used in accordance withthe present invention. For example, user interaction can be accomplishedthrough voice activation mechanisms, or through prompting fromelectronic transactions from other sources that result in an electronicsignal to the system that is the functional equivalent of either entrythrough user interaction devices such as a keyboard or a mouse.

[0107] Display Devices

[0108] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the systemdisplays a plurality of representations that may be provided on one ormore of a plurality of devices. The present invention contemplates thedisplay on one or more of a variety of suitable of display devices ordisplays. The present invention can be embodied through any suitabledevice that generally provides the functional equivalent of the computerscreen or projected screen, hologram, or other electronic projection, aswell as via paper or other media type. An alternative embodiment of thepresent invention provides for printing or otherwise displays portionsof or the totality of the integrated construct and representations ofthe in-process or completed region views onto paper or othernon-electronic media. Another embodiment of the present inventionprovides for the construction of a physical construct, with the abilityto place, arrange or associate the information associated with each ofthe components of the integrated construct on or to a physical structure(as might be done, for example, on a physical exhibit).

[0109] Potential Components of the Integrated Construct in OneEmbodiment

[0110] A key enabler to the preferred embodiment is the archetypestructure for the content created and associated with accomplishing aninquiry based project, preferably made up of both thinking and knowledgeconstructs. The component classes or types that make up the archetypestructure are provided for the user to create, select, edit and link inthe building of their ITKC. Linkages and relationships betweencomponents may be created directly by the user or automatically by thesystem, as described more fully below. In a preferred embodiment, thecreation of components by the user creates subsequent thinking subsetstructures and workspaces customized to facilitate focus and thinking onmeaningful subsets of the project and at a plurality of levels ofdetail. The following describes in greater detail examples of componentsof the archetype structure that may be used to comprise a user'sthinking and knowledge construct, or ITKC as originally depictedgenerally in FIG. 1A. The manner in which the archetype structure issubsequently used to evaluate and further guide the user is described ina later section herein.

[0111] In a preferred embodiment, types of components are synonymouswith classes, as the archetype structure lends itself easily to objectoriented implementation, although such implementation is not required.

[0112] Thinking Constructs in one preferred embodiment are made up of aTopic Set, (including a Main Topic or Problem and subtopics), a MeaningStatement Set, and an Answer or Summary View.

[0113] Topic Set

[0114] Referring again to FIG. 1, one of the thinking structures thatmay be used as a part of a thinking construct includes the topic set 22,which may be used to define the scope of the problem, question, issue,subject or topic or area of interest intended for pursuit by the user.Components of the topic set may include items such as one or moretopics, subjects, questions, problems, issues, areas of interest or anysuitable other way of defining an area of interest. Components of thetopic set may exist in a plurality of information media forms, includingbut not limited to text statements, drawings, images, or other commonlyused or suitable information media forms or formats.

[0115]FIG. 4A generally illustrates an example structure of a topic set22. In this preferred embodiment, the topic set of an integratedconstruct includes at least one statement of main topic 1220, generallyrepresenting the highest level or summary topic, subject, question,problem or issue intended to be included in the integrated construct(for example, in an educational context, the main topic might be “Whatcaused the development of the Constitution?”). The topic set may alsoinclude one or more subtopics 1222, 1224 and 1226 that are labeledSubtopics 1, 2 and 3 in FIG. 4A. Subtopics may be defined in order topartition or otherwise further elaborate the topic, subject, question,problem or issue of interest into smaller, more targeted or definedtopics, subjects, questions, or issues of interest (for example,continuing in an education context, subtopics might include “Who createdthe Constitution?”, and “What events led up to the Constitution?”). Thesubtopics associated with a main topic may also take on a plurality ofinformation forms.

[0116] Referring again to FIG. 4A, in a preferred embodiment, subtopicsmay be further associated with one or more secondary subtopics such assecondary sub-topics 1222 a, 1222 b, 1222 c, 1224 a, 1224 b, and 1226 arespectively. These subtopics may provide a lower level of partitioningor other further elaboration of the subtopic, sub-question, sub-problem,sub-issue or sub-area of interest. For example, the subtopic “Whocreated the Constitution?” might be further partitioned or elaboratedthrough two additional secondary subtopics, such as “Who were theConvention delegates?” and “What were their beliefs?” The secondarysubtopics associated with any subtopic may again be comprised ofinformation in any form: textual, drawing, video, image, graphic, etc. Asecondary subtopic may be linked to more than one subtopic. Although themost often utilized linking is likely to be that of subdividing intogreater detail or parts, the preferred embodiment also allows for theidentification of other kinds of linkages across and among subtopics. Itshould be appreciated that the number of levels provided for the topicset may be varied and will generally be limited only by the processingrobustness of the technology and data storage platforms on which thepresent invention is implemented.

[0117]FIG. 4A-10 illustrates an example of a topic set, in this casecreated for a history project for an educational assignment. The presentinvention generally provides several representation choices, describedmore fully below. One preferred embodiment of the present invention alsoprovides assistance in the form of a topic or question help tool,described in greater detail as a part of the method and processdescription below.

[0118] The topic set 22 is preferably available throughout the processand method of the present invention for viewing, editing, adding to ordeleting topics, subtopics, and/or secondary subtopics. This enables theuser to for instance add additional relevant questions after the user isfurther along in the user's thinking process and investigation on theproject. Linkages among and between components within the topic set aremanaged and can be changed, via the link or linkage manager 600generally illustrated in FIG. 3 and described below. For example,secondary subtopics that are associated with a subtopic can subsequentlybe changed or moved to be linked to a different subtopic. Similarly,secondary subtopics can be changed or moved to become higher levelsubtopics, associated then with the main topic, if the user desires todo so. It should also be appreciated that other components of theintegrated construct may be linked to components of the topic set andthen available for viewing and editing accordingly, as will be describedmore fully in the detailed description of the method and process setforth below. In a preferred embodiment, topics, questions, issues orother areas of interest defined in the Topic Set also provide the basisfor one form of subsetting the project into meaningful subsets for workand consideration by the user (as described more fully below).

[0119] In one embodiment, the archetype structure provides for more thanone topic set for the same problem, as in providing alternative means ofsubsetting or elaborating the problem of concern.

[0120] Information Constructs

[0121] Referring back to FIG. 1, in a preferred embodiment, informationconstructs 42 provide a way for the user to create, organize, group,format, and reference the collection of information or data that theuser chooses to enter, create, or associate with their project and theintegrated construct. In the educational project “What caused theConstitution?” for example, the user may wish to create informationconstructs for some of the key framers (James Madison, GeorgeWashington), the Constitution, the key parts of the Federal government(the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches perhaps) and stategovernment. Information constructs in the invention may be formattedwith specific elements, partially formatted, of highly unstructured (asin including or being associated with just a block of text for example).

[0122] In a preferred embodiment, an information construct 42 may bemade up of a large amount of information and/or high number ofinformation elements, or may include as little information as the title,label or number assigned to it by the user. Reference points from otherintegrated construct components to information constructs 42 may beprovided to the information construct in at least two ways including butnot limited to: (a) to the information construct as a whole; and/or (b)to the information elements or groups of information elements associatedwith the information construct.

[0123]FIG. 4B generally illustrates an example of the addition of aninformation construct such as 1422, 1424 or 1426 to an integratedconstruct 10, specifically in the case where a topic set 22 has beendefined. An information construct may be defined uniquely in theintegrated construct with a label, number or title. The title, number orlabel for the information construct may serve as a reference point tothe collection of information or data elements that are to be associatedwith the unique label or title.

[0124] In a preferred embodiment, information constructs 42 generallymay be unformatted, fully formatted or partially formatted in theirform. Unformatted information constructs provide the ability to addtext, drawings, and/or other portions of information to be stored andassociated with the title or label given uniquely to the informationconstruct, and therefore available to the user and for linkage or usewith other information construct or integrated construct components. Anexample of one embodiment of the entry of an unformatted informationconstruct 1422 a is shown in FIG. 4D-10. As specified elsewhere herein,the information or data may include a plurality of media forms whenincluded in or associated with information constructs.

[0125] The preferred embodiment may facilitates the assignment orassociation of information constructs with one or a number of subclassesor types. In one embodiment of the present invention, informationconstructs may be classified as “People,” “Places,” “Things,” “Media,”“Ideas,” “Events,” “Issues” and “Other.” The present invention alsogenerally facilitates the creation of user specified, customized classesor types of information constructs. In the preferred embodiment, theassignment of information constructs to class types is not required.Information constructs can be seen and manipulated at a plurality oflevels of detail, including but not limited to the detailed level, thesummary level and at an overall title or symbolic or icon level via thepresent invention. The method and system also provides the ability tolink and reference information constructs from the appropriate internalfields of other information constructs, and to define the nature ofthose relationships (for example, the person information construct“James Madison” having a birthplace element that is associated with theplace information construct “Virginia”).

[0126] The present invention facilitates the user associating andlabeling information constructs as belonging to a similar category orgroup; information constructs may be associated with more than one groupat the same time or in the same project. For example, informationconstructs of the type “People” might be grouped according to categoriessuch as “Political Leaders,” “Explorers” and “Artists.” In a preferredembodiment, the present invention provides for the creation of groups ofinformation constructs, the labeling or naming or titling of suchgroups, and the inclusion of descriptive or explanatory information todescribe or otherwise explain the nature or definition of the group.Once created in the preferred embodiment, groups also behave and may betreated by the user similarly to information constructs in their ownright. For example, the user can add information to the group—informatted, unformatted or a combination form; groups can be linked orotherwise associated with topics, meaning statements, and otherIntegrated Construct components; groups can be associated with orotherwise linked with Analysis Constructs.

[0127] The present invention in a preferred embodiment facilitates thevisual distinction of different types or classes of informationconstructs in the display or representations of the integratedconstruct, such as through the use of different colors, icon designs,and/or shapes. In one embodiment, different colors and intensities ofrepresentation are used to depict the user's rating of the importance ofthe different information constructs. It should also be appreciated thatdifferent visual solutions may be used to differentiate the type orclass of information construct in accordance with the present invention.

[0128] In one preferred embodiment, the method and system of the presentinvention provides a number of available formats to assist the user instructuring information elements of a particular subclass or type. Anexample of such a structured format 42 b is illustrated in FIG. 5D-20.Structured formats provided for information elements are generallyassociated with unique labels and a defined field or data type. Forexample, the information construct type “People” may include optionaluse of structured fields or data elements such as birth date. Ifselected to be associated with a particular information construct, thestructured element format may become an empty data field associated withthe information construct's label, and ready for receiving or otherwisebeing associated with information either via direct input by the user,or through other data entry mechanisms as described in the detailedmethod and process section below.

[0129] Information Constructs may be linked or associated with oneanother in a variety of ways, including but not limited to: 1.) theassociation of one information construct as a whole with anotherinformation construct as a whole (for example, that the InformationConstruct James Madison, of type Person, helped create the informationConstruct The Constitution, of type Thing or Media Thing); 2.) theassociation of a field that has been associated with or made a part ofan Information Construct with another Information Construct (forexample, that the Information Construct James Madison's, of type Person,birthplace—a field—was the Information Construct Virginia, of typePlace). Additional links can be created between Information Constructsby the user to represent other relationships, either using labels forrelationship types that are provided by the invention, or by enteringtheir own custom labels (see later descriptions included in thisdocument regarding links). For example, the Information Construct JamesMadison might be linked or related to the Information Construct BenjaminFranklin and labeled with the indication that they are “alike” in someway. Such links may also include internal data available to the user,such as in the user describing how the Information Constructs describedabove are “alike.” The resulting linkages or associations made with anInformation Construct (and potentially made at different points of useand from different views as the user uses the invention) may then berepresented to the user for review, editing, adding, in a representationsuch as shown in FIG. 7D, which shows an example of one embodiment of alinkage view for the information construct James Madison, 42.

[0130] In a preferred embodiment, the present invention allows a user tochange such formatting of an Information Construct over time. Forexample, a user may initially create a Person Information Construct,labeled James Madison, but have no additional information they wish toadd to that Information Construct at the time they create the construct.Once created, the Information Construct (even in its “empty” form) maybe associated or otherwise linked to other Integrated ConstructComponents (such as topics, meaning statements, analysis constructs, andothers). Subsequently, the user may find some researchinformation—perhaps over the Internet (as described more fully elsewhereherein) that he/she wants to associate with the James MadisonInformation Construct. Using the methods described later in thisdocument, the user can select some such information and associate withthe “empty” James Madison Information Construct, either as a section oftext without further formatting, or by creating an element or fieldassociated with the Information Construct and then associating theinformation with that element or field (such as Accomplishments, forexample). Similarly, subsequently the user may decide that they wish toformat the information additionally, instead of just having the textassociated with a field or element label such as Accomplishments. Theuser may subsequently decide they wish to create fields or elementsseparately for Career and Publications, for example, and may do so withthe present invention at any time during the life of the InformationConstruct. Elements, fields or sub areas of information associated withan Information Construct may be created by selecting from the predefinedset provided by the present invention, or by creating custom elements,fields, or sub areas. The user may also subsequently format a field thatwas text, for example, as a date.

[0131] In one preferred embodiment of the invention, informationconstructs may all have one or more common fields, such a separatefield, element or information sub area for the inclusion of the user'sopinion of the importance of the information construct, in light of theproject, and for a summary story about the information Construct. Inanother embodiment of the invention, the user is provided with optionsto add required or standard fields, elements or sub areas to thedifferent Information Constructs they will be creating in their project.

[0132] The robustness and flexibility of Information Constructs providedby the present invention make them a valuable set of components, notonly as part of an integrated construct, but also in conjunction withsubsets of the total integrated construct,

[0133] Analysis Constructs

[0134] Referring back to FIG. 1, analysis constructs 44 are onecomponent type provided by the archetype structure that generally enableuseful views of information and constructed understanding which mayprovide a basis for the user to discern meaning. For example, in theeducational project “What caused the development of the Constitution?”,analysis constructs might be created which included a sequence ofevents, a comparison of the beliefs of the different framers of theConstitution, or a visual depiction of the members who were Federalistsvs. Antifederalists. Analysis constructs 44 may be developed based onpreviously created information constructs 42 and data 46, and may alsobe created based on new user's actions and not directly connected topreviously created information constructs 42 or data 46. Analysisconstructs may also be created and linked or otherwise referenced toother standard electronic analysis forms, such as spreadsheets.

[0135] Like information constructs, the present invention provides thatanalysis constructs may be defined by a unique label or title, which maybe in a variety of different information media forms, including but notlimited to textual characters, images, graphics or any other suitablemedia type. Once created, an analysis construct preferably provides aworkspace for the user, which may contain text, drawings, images or aplurality of information media forms. It should be appreciated thatanalysis constructs as described herein include both the provisioning ofan interactive workspace for the user and the storage of the informationcomponents and relationships that must be stored to enable the user toretrieve and subsequently view or edit the analysis construct.

[0136] Analysis constructs 44 may generally work as components withinthe larger integrated construct 10 structure. As such, analysisconstructs may be labeled, referenced, and linked to the othercomponents of the integrated construct, such as elements of the topicset 22, meaning statement set 24, and answer or summary set 26. Analysisconstructs can also provide value to the user as standalone informationsubsets, or as constructs associated with information constructs(whether formatted or unformatted). Like information constructs,analysis constructs may also be unformatted, fully formatted orpartially formatted.

[0137]FIG. 4C depicts an example of the addition of an analysisconstruct 1442 to an integrated construct, specifically in the case inwhich a topic set 22 and certain information constructs 1422, 1424 and1426 have been defined previously for the integrated construct.

[0138] Referring again to FIG. 1, analysis constructs 44 may referencethe information constructs and/or information elements. Analysisconstructs 44 may show relationships between and among the informationconstructs 42, whether formatted, partially formatted, or unformatted,as previously described. These relationships may be based upon and builtout of several different approaches by the user including, for example:(a) based on the contents of one or more information elements associatedwith a particular information construct 42; (b) relationships betweeninformation constructs 42 either perceived by the user or automaticallydefined within the integrated construct 10; and/or (c) the judgment ofthe user regarding the information elements within the informationconstructs 42, or any combination thereof. Analysis Constructs may alsobe created without any reference to prior created informationconstructs. As described more fully in the method and process later inthis document, the user may create an Analysis Construct withoutreference to Information Constructs, either through the use ofUnstructured Notes, or through the direct creation of an AnalysisConstruct using the drawing, text, image, and video import capabilitiesassociated with the Analysis Construct. For example, a user may chooseto draw the relationships he or she has been seeing in the informationcollected, or sketch a diagram of a hypothetical causation relationshipfreehand, as opposed to using the preformatted Analysis Constructs orspecific references to the Information Constructs themselves.

[0139]FIG. 5H-10 generally depicts examples of relationships that may bedefined in one embodiment of the present invention between analysisconstructs 44 a and information constructs 1422, 1424, 1426, and 1428 inan integrated construct.

[0140] In a preferred embodiment, analysis constructs 44 may be used inconjunction with information constructs 42 and unstructured data 46 tocomprise the knowledge construct 40 portion of the integrated construct10. Capabilities of analysis constructs in a preferred embodiment maygenerally include for example, but not limited to, the followingabilities: (a) analysis constructs may reference, link and displayinformation construct labels and/or icons or summary depictions in orderto enable views and create understanding across individual informationconstructs, while still maintaining links to the detail within thoseinformation constructs for access by the user when desired; (b) analysisconstructs may reference, link to and display information elements fromwithin information constructs with similar access to related detailinformation; (c) analysis constructs may generate analysis constructviews or portions of analysis construct views based on the contents ofthe information elements associated with specific information constructs(as in the construction of a timeline from date elements withininformation constructs); (d) analysis constructs may enable the user tocreate a depiction of their understanding freeform, through text,drawings, graphics, images or other media forms (as in drawing thecausal relationships between concepts or issues they have identified intheir project); and, as described previously, (e) analysis constructsmay provide visual representations and/or reference links to analysescreated with other software or electronic capabilities, including butnot limited to spreadsheets, graphs, images, and others.

[0141]FIG. 5H-20 illustrates an example of a partially completedworkspace 44 b for an analysis construct. In this particular embodiment,the analysis construct 44 b provides a view of understanding ofinformation across different information constructs, as depicted in the“event” icons and labels shown on FIG. 5H-20. The present inventionenables the user to create a particular analysis view across multipleinformation constructs. At the same time, any detail informationelements associated with each of the information constructs may beavailable to the user by selecting the individual information constructand having the view manager (see FIG. 3) display the detailedinformation elements for the selected information construct.

[0142] In one preferred embodiment, analysis constructs may also includefields such as a field associated with each unique analysis constructfor the creation and entry by the user of an observational or summarystatement about the analysis construct. This observational or summarystatement field is generally preferably textual, but may also becomprised of a plurality of information media forms. An example of suchan observational field is show in FIG. 5H-20, which is an example of apartially completed analysis construct. In one preferred embodiment,observations that are entered associated with an analysis construct arethen later made available to the user in a combined view as basis forcreating higher-level meaning (see later descriptions of method andprocess and representations).

[0143] In one embodiment, the present invention provides for the abilityto save formats created for analysis constructs for future use. Forexample, the format illustrated in FIG. 5H-30 may be saved as “historytimeline.” In this way, a user can create new analysis constructs withnew content and less work than the original analysis construct. In onepreferred embodiment, the method, process and system provide a set ofpreformatted analysis constructs as models to choose from for the user.

[0144] For example, in one embodiment, the present invention providespreformatted analysis constructs for sequence, timeline, qualitativecomparison and contrast, quantitative comparison, categorizationanalysis, family tree, and causation analysis. It should be readilyapparent that additional preformatted analysis constructs are obviousextensions and well within the scope and intent of the presentinvention, especially if they share the same general fields andcapabilities and relationships with respect to information constructs asdescribed herein.

[0145] For preformatted analysis constructs (whether provided asstandard with the method and process of the invention, or created ascustom and saved by the user), the preferred embodiment provides theadditional ability to automatically generate analysis constructs basedon the data contained in or associated with information constructsand/or their fields or elements. For example, if information constructshave been created with fields or elements of type “date” associated withthem, then the user is able to select those dates and automaticallygenerate a timeline for their review. Similarly, if informationconstructs have been created with commonly defined fields or elements,then the user is able to select those commonly defined fields orelements and automatically generate a compare and contrast analysisconstruct. Once generated, the user is able to decide about thegenerated analysis construct whether to “keep as is,” “modify” or“delete” the analysis construct.

[0146] In a preferred embodiment, analysis constructs as a type ofcomponent or class generally include 1.) a title, number, label or otheridentifier and 2.) an observational or other summary field or fields;3.) a backdrop visual and/or overall structure for the analysisconstruct; and then may include any or all of the following: 4.) astructure for the inclusion of information constructs and/or informationelements, 5) visual and/or data references to whole informationconstructs, summary views of the selected information constructs, and/orthe elements or fields associated with Information Constructs; 6.) theinclusion of tools provided specifically by the present invention, asdescribed further elsewhere herein, 7.) unstructured information notes;8.) the creation of drawing, links with or without labels or othervisual depictions by the user, and/or 9.) drawings, text, images orvideos included with the analysis construct as provided by the user, andothers.

[0147] In the preferred embodiment, the archetype structure provides forthe ability to create analysis constructs that include references toother software tools.

[0148] Meaning Statement Set

[0149] Referring back to FIG. 1, the preferred embodiment facilitatesthe creation of a meaning statement set 24, preferably as a portion ofthe thinking construct 20 of a completed inquiry project and integratedconstruct 10. The meaning statement set 24 generally includes thecollection of statements or other informational depictions and theirrelationships to one another and to other project components, as createdby the user to represent understanding, meaning and judgment about theknowledge construct components, whether in the form of a hypothesis,idea or a fully formed set of conclusions or understanding. Continuingthe example for the project “What caused the development of theConstitution?”, meaning statements might include items like “Framers hadsome very different beliefs” and “Big states and little states wanteddifferent approaches.” Meaning statements can be developed at differentlevels of specificity and abstraction, and the present invention assistsin building higher levels of meaning from lower level, or more specificstatements of meaning (as described further in the method and processand representations for the system).

[0150] In one embodiment, individual meaning statements as a type orclass of component available to the ITKC are generally uniquelyidentified by their contents. In one embodiment of the presentinvention, meaning statements may be assigned a unique number identifierand/or a reference as well. Although one embodiment of the presentinvention includes meaning statements made up of textual characters, themethod and system of the present invention also facilitates the use ofdrawings, images, and a plurality of other media forms as meaningstatements.

[0151] In a preferred embodiment, the method and system provide thatmeaning statements may exist independently as a part of an integratedconstruct (i.e., not linked to any other components or group ofcomponents of the integrated construct), or may be linked to any one ormore or all of the components of the integrated construct. Links amongmeaning statements and between meaning statements and other componentsof the integrated construct may be added, changed, or deleted using themethod and system of the preferred embodiment.

[0152] In one embodiment, meaning statements may be assigned arelationship to one another, including but not limited to supporting,contradicting and others. Meaning statements may also be assigned alateral relationship to one another. FIG. 4D illustrates an example ofone embodiment of the relationships inherent in the addition of ameaning statement 1242 to an integrated construct, specifically in thecase in which a topic set 22, some information constructs 1422, 1424,and 1426, and an analysis construct 1442 have been defined for theintegrated construct previously. In one embodiment, the relationshipsbetween a meaning statement and another type of component of anintegrated construct may similarly be constructed and labeled as to itstype. For example, a meaning statement may be linked to an analysisconstruct (or to a portion of an analysis construct) with a linkindicating that the meaning statement is “supported by” the analysisconstruct. Similarly, a meaning statement may be linked to aninformation construct or a portion of an information construct with alink indicating that the meaning statement is “not supported by” or “iscontradicted by” the information construct or portion of the informationconstruct. In one embodiment, the present invention provides the userwith a number of predefined link types for their selection and use,included but not limited to link types such as “supports”,“contradicts”, “is related to”, and others. In one preferred embodiment,the present invention also provides the user the capability to definetheir own label for the link. Meaning statements may be linked to oneanother in hierarchical, lateral or other relationships and alsolabeled. One preferred embodiment facilitates the linking of multiplemeaning statements to one another at least partially throughhierarchical relationships, to allow the building up of lower level,more specific meaning statements to higher level, more comprehensivemeaning statements, eventually in support of the chosen answer for theproject.

[0153] As discussed below, in one preferred embodiment, in the case ofthe use of multiple or alternative answers, one integrated construct mayhave multiple sets of meaning statements. These multiple sets of meaningstatements may be related to the respective alternative answers,regardless of the stage of completion of the answer. The presentinvention also provides the user with the ability to create multiplemeaning statement sets as a means of creating alternative “views ofmeaning” across the same or similar sets of knowledge components.Alternative or multiple sets of meaning statements associated with thesame integrated construct may have all, some, or none of the samemeaning statements and linkages associated with them. Similarly,alternative or multiple sets of meaning statements associated with thesame integrated construct may have all, some or none of the sameinformation constructs, analysis constructs, and topics associated withthem.

[0154] In one preferred embodiment, the creation of meaning statementsprovides one means for the system to subset the project as a whole intomeaningful subsets, for work and consideration by the user. Such asubset or individual meaning statement “view” is more fully describedlater in the representation discussion. In a preferred embodiment, thepresent invention also provides for a view of all meaning statementswith their associated supporting observations, importance statements, orother supporting links to knowledge constructs such as informationconstructs and/or analysis constructs.

[0155] Answer or Summary Set

[0156] Referring back to FIG. 1, the preferred embodiment facilitatesthe development of the answer or summary component or answer or summaryset 26 of the integrated construct 10, that is preferably a portion ofthe thinking construct 20 of an integrated construct. The answer orsummary set 26 may be made up of textual characters, and/or a drawing,image, graphic, diagram, or a plurality of other information mediaforms. The answer or summary set 26 is preferably linked to the maintopic of the integrated construct, especially in a completed construct.The answer or summary set 26 preferably may be linked via the linkmanager to meaning statements 24. In one embodiment of the presentinvention, links between the answer or summary set and meaningstatements set can be labeled and categorized, including but not limitedto such relationships as supportive or consistent with the answer orsummary, or refuting or being inconsistent with the answer or summaryset. The answer or summary set may similarly be linked via the linkmanager to information constructs 42, analysis constructs 44,unstructured data 46 or any other component that may be associated withthe integrated construct 10.

[0157] One embodiment of the present invention provides for the creationof the answer or summary set 26 which may include one or more answers orsummaries, such as with alternative answers or summaries underconsideration by the user, which may be associated at the same time tothe same integrated construct 10. Similarly, in this embodiment of thepresent invention, the linkages 60 between the multiple answers orsummary and meaning statements or other components can differ, accordingto the specific answer or summary being linked. For example, answer “A”may have links to meaning statements “A,” “B” and “C,” while answer “B”may have links to meaning statement “B,” “D” and “E.”

[0158] The answer or summary set is preferably available to the userthroughout the course of the use of the present invention in developingand editing an integrated construct, and may therefore be changed oradded to in the course of the project. This enables users to developinitial answers and refine those answers as the user's work on theproject proceeds. Such actions may be included as the present inventiondocuments and tracks the user's thinking processes, and subsequentlymakes such tracking available.

[0159] In one preferred embodiment, the answer or summary set may alsobe associated with a definition by the user of the goals, requirements,or characteristics regarding what is important that the answer orsummary Set achieve. These goals, requirements, characteristics or otherdescription of what the answer or summary set should be like aresimilarly available to the user throughout the course of the project foradding, editing, or deleting.

[0160] One Embodiment of Software Architecture

[0161] In one embodiment, the general modules of the softwarearchitecture as depicted in FIG. 3 of one preferred embodiment interactwith one another in a manner as depicted generally in FIG. 3A. Referringto FIG. 3A, the archetype process and system of the present inventionfacilitate the process and present options to users in the form of viewsand available portions of method or functions. In a preferredembodiment, such representation may take the form of a graphical userinterface, as indicated in block 100. Users may generally select amongavailable options as presented in the views, and signal an action to thepresent invention through a plurality of interaction devices andapproaches as described above and indicated in block 110. In thepreferred embodiment, the process manager evaluates the user event, asshown in block 302, and may respond in a number of ways, based on anevaluation of the action taken by the user, the history of user actions,archetype process and structure inference and completion rules, asindicated in block 3000, status of the integrated construct at the time,as evaluated in block 320, the specific portion of process beingconducted by the user as indicated by their placement in the system atthe time, and other relevant factors. Options for response to a userevent block 110 following evaluation block 302 may include, but are notlimited to the following: (i) change and re-optimize the view asindicated in block 205 and facilitated then by the view manager 200 orsimilar module; (ii) suggest one or more actions or alternative actionsto the user based on the evaluation of the event (block 302) and ITKCstatus (block 320) as indicated in block 390 and then represented to theuser through the View Manager, block 200; (iii) create a new componentin content and/or structure as indicated in block 420 and facilitated bythe process manager 400 or similar module; (iv) modify or delete anexisting component both with regard to content and/or structure asindicated by block 420 and facilitated by the process manager 400 orsimilar module and update manager 700 or similar module; (v) create newor modify existing (automated or user created) linkages between or amongcomponents as indicated by block 605 and facilitated by the linkagemanager 600 or similar module; and (vi) access and associate externaldata or informational sources as indicated by block 905 and facilitatedby external electronic sources and the update manager or similar module700, which may then be followed by additional user events such ascreating new component, or modifying components as indicated in block420

[0162] In this application, the aforementioned software architecture isprovided as one embodiment of the general modules that may be used toimplement and provide the present invention. It should be readilyappreciated, however, that many alternatives in the definition,boundaries and structure of the software modules used to accomplish thecapabilities and functionality of the present invention could beutilized in accordance with the present invention.

[0163] Returning again to the overall software architecture of oneembodiment of the present invention as depicted in FIG. 3, the generalmodules of the architecture of one embodiment are described in greaterdetail below. The description of the Process Manager and the method andprocess of the present invention is below, followed by furtherdescription of the other software architecture modules of oneembodiment, and later a description of a set of representations thatprovide the method and process to the user in one embodiment.

[0164] Process Manager: Method and Process

[0165] Returning again to FIG. 3, the process manager 300 or similarmodules facilitate the archetype process. Referring to FIG. 3A, theprocess manager (blocks 300, 400 and further detailed in additionalcharts using the 500's series) evaluates the user event (block 302) andaccordingly provides a response to the user that facilitates the methodand process of the present invention, whether to change the view throughthe view manager (block 205), provide a suggestion to the user throughthe process manager suggestor (block 390), provide and allow the user toselect among process portions being provided in the present view (block405), whether the user chooses to access process portions such asassistance tools or others, (block 410), or to create or modify an ITKCcomponent (block 420), create or modify a link through the linkagemanager (block 600) or access external electronic information sources(block 800). The process manager further evaluates the user event (block302) and the status of the ITKC components and structure (block 320),and determines if suggestions are warranted (block 370) based on anumber of evaluation and inference approaches, including the archetypeprocess and structure (block 3000) described in further detail below. Inconjunction with the guiding nature of the design of the representationsand views provided by the present invention, the process manager thusfacilitates a guided process for the user which emulates the thinkingand working methods used by expert problem solvers with regard toarbitrary problems and inquiry based projects and responds to user'sactions throughout the course of the project. In one preferredembodiment, the user has the choice of (i) ignoring the suggestion(s)made by the process manager, (ii) acting on the specific suggestion, or(iii) saving the suggestion for future consideration.

[0166] The portions of the archetype process can be used individually,as a total set, or in any subset combination, depending upon the user'sneeds for a particular project. Portions of the integrated constructmethod and process include the following major components that are shownin FIG. 5. In one embodiment, the method and process provided by thearchetype process generally include the following thinking and workingfunctions: (i) project initiation as indicated by block 510; (ii)definition of project goals and problem as indicated by block 520; (iii)definition of and revision of project structures, being structures forthinking and working as indicated by block 540; (iv) determining andrevising a project plan and to do list as indicated by block 535 (v)evaluating progress and deciding what thinking and knowledge work to donext, as indicated in block 550; (vi) selecting the appropriate subsetfor thinking and working; as indicated in block 555; (vii) conductingresearch and gathering information, as indicated in block 560; (viii)organizing information, especially through constructing, formattingand/or acquiring information for information constructs to be includedin the integrated construct for the project as indicated by block 562:(ix) developing and associating analyses to the project, and definingand constructing analysis constructs to be included in the integratedconstruct for the project as indicated by block 564; (x) developingconclusions and meaning, especially through defining and constructingthe set of meaning statements to be included in the integrated constructas indicated by block 570; (xi) developing and constructing the overallanswer or summary set or portion of the integrated construct for theproject as indicated by block 580; (xii) evaluating whether the answeror summary set is complete, and has met the goals and answered or solvedthe original problem as indicated by block 585; and (xiii) creating andformatting the presentational version of the project results, asindicated by block 590. Throughout process portions (i) to (xiii), thelinkage manager defines and manages linkages among and between thecomponents of the integrated construct, as described more fully in thediscussion of the linkage manager (as indicated by block 600 on FIG. 3A)below.

[0167]FIG. 5 depicts example navigation paths that generally may beprovided between the major method and process work portions of thearchetype process. Referring to FIG. 5, the process in one embodiment ispreferably modular and generally enables multiple starting or entrypoints, and flexible iteration or mobility between the intermediateprocess portions within general guiding approaches facilitated by thearchetype process. In a preferred embodiment, the archetype providesguidance to the user according to approaches preferred by expert problemsolvers, but also generally enable navigation between many of theprocess portions. In a preferred embodiment, the ability to navigate toportions of process which are deemed less immediately related to thecurrent process portion for the user are made available in less easilyvisible or accessible ways, such as through the use of a drop down menu,or visually depicted in a more removed location; as described more fullyin the view description, as one means to help guide the user along thepreferred navigational paths. The system generally also provides theability to move between levels of detail within and between the processsteps, as described herein. It should be appreciated that the method andprocess functions may be performed at additional points in the overallprocess in accordance with the present invention.

[0168] In a preferred embodiment, portions of the archetype process andmethods may be provided and differentiated to the user in several ways,including but not limited to: (i) through the view which is presentedand which may focus the user on a portion of the process or a specifictype of thinking and knowledge work they have selected or has beensuggested by the process manager, based on the archetype process orarchetype structure, that needs to be done; (ii) through the set ofinterrelated views which are presented and which provide to the useraccess to portions of process and/or methods in useful combinations withportions of the content and structure of the integrated construct, asdescribed more fully below (iii) through the overall visual map oroverview of the project that is provided by the system and which helpsindicate to the user the degree of completeness and which types ofthinking or problem solving approaches have been used or accessed vs.those which have not been used or accessed, (iv) direct suggestions tothe user, as described more fully below, and others. In one embodiment,some portions of process and methods may be encapsulated and presentedto the user as a software “tool,” or subset of method and functionality,as in a tool to construct new information constructs, a tool toconstruct new analysis constructs, a tool to provide help andsuggestions regarding the selection and construction of the topic set.It should be readily appreciated that providing the same functionalityin different encapsulations or boundaries for such logic is inaccordance with the present invention.

[0169] Process Manager Guidance of User Interaction and ITKC Development

[0170] The preferred embodiment provides an approach to guiding thethinking and knowledge activities for a user to develop their thinkingabout an arbitrary problem through evaluating the user's actions andprogress, and determining suggestions based on the archetype structureand archetype process. The present invention's visual depiction of thearchetype project structure (representing content, structure,relationships, and thinking and working process) and the more detailedthinking modes or views provided by the present invention provideongoing guidance and feedback to the user regarding the portions ofthinking process they have done and should consider doing, as describedmore fully below. In addition, as shown in FIG. 3B, the process managerevaluates the user event (block 302), tracks the user event (block 304)to update the user history (block 330) and determines the process stepand work underway by the user by evaluating the event, block 306. Theprocess manager suggestor then determines if there are identifiableprocess gaps or lapses that have occurred (and especially changed withthe last user event) by applying the archetype process rules in block3100, to the current user event and situation. Specifically, the processmanager may evaluate the specific working views being used by the user,the assistance tools being accessed, and the amount of interaction andtime being spent in various regions or subsets of their ITKC. Suchevaluation might determine, for example, that the user has not beenfocusing on the problem according to a subtopic specific view yet, or isusing the question help tool but without results. Referring further toblock 310 in FIG. 3B, the archetype process inference rules are alsoused as the basis for determining suggestions that might be made toassist the user, in areas that are not strictly gaps or lapses, butrather point out possible next steps.

[0171] Continuing with FIG. 3B, the process manager in a preferredembodiment also evaluates the ITKC under construction by the user (block320 and described in further detail below), based on the archetypestructure inference engine, and any suggestions so determined arecombined with those defined based on the archetype process evaluationand inferences, as shown in step 370. In a preferred embodiment, thesystem also checks for secondary or combination impacts based on the twosources of evaluation and both archetype process and archetypestructure. For example, if the archetype structure evaluation determinesthat the user has primarily been building meaning statements but theyare not well supported by information or analysis, then the archetypeprocess may need to also determine whether they have in fact beensearching electronic sources yet. In a preferred embodiment, aftersuggestions are appropriately combined as indicated in block 370 in FIG.3B, then the process manager suggestor may optimize the suggestions, asindicated in block 385 through ordering and prioritizing algorithms thatmay be related to the user event that has occurred, the status of theITKC and other factors. In block 390, the process manager suggestorprovides the suggestions to the view manager and the suggestions areprovided to the user appropriately.

[0172] The inferences and rules used by the archetype process and thearchetype structure to identify suggestions for users are differentbased upon the system's assessment of the current stage or phase of theITKC.

[0173] Referring to FIG. 3B-10, the process by which the user's ITKC isevaluated against the archetype structure is now described. As aconsequence of a user event, the process manager suggestor in block 322FIG. 3B-10, evaluates the status of the ITKC components and linkages,with regard to the components that have been selected and included bythe user, the level of structure of those components, the amount ofinformation in the components, and their relationship with one another.In FIG. 3B-10, block 324, the process manager suggestor then applies thearchetype structure inference and completion rules, in block 3200, inorder to identify gaps or lapses in the ITKC the user has built so far,as indicated in block 324. For example, the process manager suggestormay determine that certain subtopics are as yet without information, orthat some meaning statements are better supported by knowledgeconstructs than others. Following the identification of lapses, theprocess manager suggestor similarly applies the archetype structureinferences and completion rules in order to identify suggestions thatmay be made to assist the user, as indicated in block 326. Suchsuggestions may be based not only on the inferences associated with thecore or macro archetype structure, but significantly on applying rulesbased on the actions and selections that have been taken by the userthus far. For example, if a user has identified that they are working ona sequence in a project, and many of their information constructscontain dates, then the archetype structure inferences may identify thesuggestion that the user try a timeline. In both the application of thearchetype process and the archetype structure, the preferred embodimentincorporates a dynamic application of rules and inferences in responseto decisions and choices made by the user (or choices made by anotheruser such as a teacher, as defined elsewhere herein). These customizedor dynamically applied inferences are therefore in addition toinferences and rules that may apply throughout the course of theproject.

[0174] Continuing with FIG. 3B-10, the process manager suggestor lastlyin a preferred embodiment will search and evaluate relevant fields ofthe ITKC, preferably beginning with those that have most recentlychanged and the fields that are most closely related to those changedfields, as indicated in block 330. In one embodiment, the processmanager suggestor searches for content specific matches to a set ofarchetype structure inferences that are content based. For example, theprocess suggestor manager may search topic fields for phrases that thearchetype structure identifies as having relationships to otherarchetype components. Specific examples are described below. As with theother archetype evaluations, as shown in block 332, in this embodiment,if the process manager suggestor identifies matches to encodedrelationships, then the archetype structure inferences in block 3200will identify a potential suggestion to be made to the user. Forexample, if the topic the user has entered is “What caused thedevelopment of the Constitution?”, the process manager suggestor mightsuggest the user consider a timeline. As with the other archetypesuggestions, the process manager then combines suggestions or lapsesdetermined through content evaluation with those determined aboutstructure through the archetype structure evaluation, as indicated inblock 334.

[0175] In one embodiment, suggestions determined by the process managermay include but not be limited to suggestions regarding: 1.) specifictypes of components or advances in components the user may want toconsider adding next; 2) other views and therefore other thinking orwork foci that the user may want to select next; 3.) one or moreinformation constructs, analysis constructs, topics/questions, meaningstatements, or answer(s) which the user may want to revisit and review,3.) linkages or relationships which the user may want to add, revisitand review; 4.) specific activities that the user may want to considernext, such as additional research, revisiting and revising theirquestions/topics, reviewing data they have collected so far, and others.In one embodiment of the present invention, the user is also able to addtheir own general rules or principles regarding the process they believeworks best for them, in one example as thinking prompters, as describedbelow.

[0176] In a preferred embodiment, the Process Manager may utilize anumber of approaches to accomplish these evaluations and determine ifone or more suggestions should be made to the user. It should be readilyappreciated that an approach for determining guidance that may be usefulin one type of ITKC component or thinking and knowledge activity may beemployed in other types of components or activities as well. Furtherexamples of types of inferences that may be made by the process managersuggestor in one embodiment may include the following:

[0177] 1.) The process manager may determine suggestions based oncomparing the existence, number, and linkages of components of the ITKCconstructed by the user to those expected or desired for the archetypeor exemplary structure. For example, an exemplary project may beexpected to have meaning statements that are supported by one or moreknowledge constructs (whether analysis constructs, informationconstructs, or unformatted information). In this embodiment, a meaningstatement that has no knowledge construct support linked to it at thetime may be evaluated by the process manager as an indication of workyet to be done by the user. Additional examples of such gaps between anexemplary project and a project as completed by the user may includeitems such as: topics that have little or no information or knowledgelinked to them, and others. In this embodiment, the present invention'sdefinition of the exemplary or archetype taxonomy of a inquiry basedproject provides a basis for gap analysis to the ITKC being developed bythe user that would not be possible without such an archetype.

[0178] 2.) The process manager suggestor may evaluate the user eventhistory. For example, if most user events have been occurring in theresearch and data gathering regions of the system, or if the user hasfocused primarily on a topic by topic view and has not yet looked at themeaning that has been developing, the present invention may suggest theuser “go to” the complementary or so far little used views or regionsnext. In one embodiment of the invention, the process manager provides auser such as a teacher with the ability to set parameters for how muchemphasis the student should place on different thinking and knowledgeactivities and views, or how much time is to be spent accordingly, asdiscussed elsewhere herein.

[0179] 3.) In one embodiment, the process manager may determinesuggestions based on evaluating information entered by the user into theITKC, and use of project component and relationship rules. For example,in one embodiment, the present invention may evaluate the text enteredby the user into the main topic structure (for example, “What caused thedevelopment of the Constitution?” and may suggest a subtopic “Whatevents led up to the Constitution?”

[0180] 4.) In one embodiment, the process manager may determinesuggestions based on identifying patterns within similar types ofconstructs. In one embodiment, the process manager may for example,examine and use the occurrence of patterns such as the same phrasemultiple times in unstructured data notes as the basis to suggest to theuser to create an information construct or grouping of the unstructuredinformation for that phrase.

[0181] 5.) Referring to block 350, in one embodiment, the processmanager may determine suggestions for transitive relationships betweeninformation constructs, meaning statements, and any ITKC component whichmay be so logically related. For example, if information construct A hasbeen designated through a labeled link as “like” another informationconstruct B, and information construct B has been similarly designatedby the user as “like” a third information construct C, then the processmanager may prompt the user whether information construct A is also“like” information construct C. Such labeled links may also be used bythe process manager to suggest other components to the user.

[0182] 6.) Providing of thinking and working prompts or suggestions thatare related to the specific portion of work being conducted by the user.For example, in one embodiment, the present invention preferablyincludes a set of thinking prompts for each analysis construct providedby the invention, to assist the user in making meaning from the analysisconstruct. For example, the timeline might include the availability ofthinking prompters like “What things were going on at the same time?” Inone embodiment of the present invention, a user is able to add their ownthinking prompts to components or views for future use.

[0183] It should be appreciated that the fact that the present inventionprovides a common taxonomy for components and structure of an ITKC,together with a modular but guided thinking and working process, inconjunction with the use of semantic and other methods readilyunderstood by those skilled in the art, may be used to provide a richset of suggesting abilities in the present invention. It should also beappreciated that such evaluating and guiding approaches may be used incombination with one another, and that the addition of similar types ofinference and suggesting abilities does not depart from the scope andintent of the present invention.

[0184] Returning to FIG. 3B, block 304, in one embodiment, the processmanager tracks and evaluates actions taken by the user, and updates thehistory of user events as indicated in block 330. In one embodiment, theuser event history may include some, all or any of the following: theuser actions taken (which may be measured both in terms of interactionsand in terms of time spent), the view and/or component the user hadactive in their display at the time those actions were taken, the recenthistory of any suggestions that may have been offered by the processmanager, the user response to such suggestions, the status of theintegrated construct content and linkages at the time, and otherrelevant tracking data. As the integrated construct is likely to beconstructed during multiple use sessions, the user event history mayalso differentiate such user history for specific use sessions,including the tracking of date and time spent by the user. In oneembodiment, the user event history tracks time duration between specificactions, as well as time spent on each view and/or component. In oneembodiment, changes in the content of the integrated construct are alsotracked as part of the user history. It should be appreciated that anyaction and change made with regard to user actions and/or the content,linkages or structure of the integrated construct may be tracked,evaluated, applied against project completion rules, and subsequentlymade available for reporting and review in accordance with the presentinvention.

[0185] In one embodiment of the present invention, the process managerstores “snapshots” of the integrated construct as part of the projectuser history. For example, a “snapshot” of the integratedconstruct—including its content, structure, and linkages—may be takenand stored at the end of each use session. In an alternative embodiment,the project assigner (such as a teacher) or the user may select howoften and under what circumstances they wish to “snapshot” theirintegrated construct. For example, a teacher may want the integratedconstruct “snapshot” view taken every half hour or every hour during thestudent's project. The ability to compile and store a “snapshot” of theintegrated construct is made meaningful at least in part because thecomponent types of the integrated construct differentiate thinking andknowledge content and activity types. In one embodiment, the series of“snapshots” of the integrated construct provide another mechanism bywhich the thinking and work processes used in the completion of aproject may be tracked, mapped, and made available for furtherconsideration of how the user works or should work best.

[0186] In this manner, the Process Manager acts as an expert systemcomponent of the present invention, orchestrating a dialogue andproviding suggestions to the user about the generalized inquiry projectand problem solving process.

[0187] The following generally describes a course activity through themethod and process of the present invention, as facilitated by thearchetype process. This method and process description provides adelineation of functionality generally provided by the presentinvention, in conjunction with the views and representations which arethe primary mechanisms for delivering the functionality, which aredescribed in further detail later. The following description of thesteps or portions of the method and process components of the presentinvention is provided in a logically linear fashion. However, it shouldbe appreciated that one advantage of the present invention is that theuser can navigate across and between the portions of the method andprocess flexibly, and through a plurality of paths, as indicated abovewith respect to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, within the guided approachesprovided by the representations and process manager suggestions andother approaches, as described elsewhere herein.

[0188] In the following description, the terms “project” and “integratedconstruct” may be used interchangeably.

[0189] Method and Process: Project Initiation and Defining IntegratedConstruct Title or Label

[0190] Referring to FIG. 5, specifically block 510, in order to use themethod and process of the present invention and initiate an integratedconstruct, the present invention may prompt the user for the user nameor identifier. If the user has previously defined a user name oridentifier in the system, the user may type in the name or identifier,and is subsequently asked for their password in order to access thesystem and any previously created or saved files. If the user has neverset up a user name or identifier before, or wishes to define a separateuser account for any reason, then the system may provide a function toenter a new user name or identifier and password for a new account. Themethods and technical approaches for implementing such a “sign on” canbe conventional. Similarly, any suitable approach which provides for theidentification and recognition of users and their associated integratedconstructs in a manner which provides protection (when desired) andaccess to the integrated constructs previously created by any user, andwhich subsequently facilitates the use of the method and system of thepresent invention may be employed in accordance with the presentinvention.

[0191] In one embodiment, once a user has successfully entered thesystem, the present invention may prompt the user with a number ofoptional functions such as: (i) creating a new project/integratedconstruct; (ii) reviewing and/or subsequently editing an existingproject/integrated construct; or (iii) reviewing integrated constructssaved for access by the user but originally created by other users, andothers. In one embodiment of the present invention, suitablepresentational indications may be made for the integrated constructs orprojects that are currently under construction as well as those that arecompleted. In another embodiment, projects already completed may begrouped or categorized and subsequently labeled.

[0192] In one embodiment, an integrated construct is generally initiatedupon the assignment of a title, label or other unique identifier for theproject. If the user enters a title label that has been enteredpreviously, the present invention may identify the previously enteredintegrated construct and prompt the user whether to overwrite thepreviously existing project, or provide a different title label tocreate a new project. Similarly, if the main topic statement that isentered is identical to a main topic previously created, the presentinvention may identify the previously created main topic and prompts theuser with a number of options such as the option to: (i) overwrite thepreviously created integrated construct and main topic; (ii) create anew integrated construct with the same main topic; and (iii) create anew integrated construct and a new main topic. Selection of theseoptions, prompted by the process manager and displayed by the viewmanager, is accomplished more specifically through the user interactionmechanisms described in greater detail in other sections herein.

[0193] Upon entering a title or label for the new integrated construct,a unique reference for a new integrated construct is preferably created,and can subsequently be displayed or depicted according to therepresentational approaches described more fully herein. Accessattributed to this unique identifier includes the underlying content andstructure of the new integrated construct in its respective stage ofcompletion, including any linkages among or between the components ofthe integrated construct, and the appropriate representation thereof. Ina preferred embodiment, representation of a newly created integratedconstruct may include delineation of regions or components of theintegrated construct which have been created or which are inferred asneeded by the present invention based on the archetype structure and/orarchetype process but are in the project's earliest stages void ofcontent, but may still be visible and accessible to the user (asdescribed elsewhere herein).

[0194] In one embodiment, as for a teacher's user, the present inventionmay also allow a user to define guidelines or parameters for theproject, which may include but not be limited to items such as thenumber of specific components (such as topics, information constructs,analysis constructs, etc.), the types of specific components (such astypes of information constructs, for example), the characteristics ofspecific components (such as formatted vs. unformatted, or includingcertain fields, or having at least a certain number of levels, forexample), and other characteristics. In addition to such parameters, apreferred embodiment allows another user, such as a teacher, to providecontent specific starting points for the ITKC, and the setting of rulesfor the archetype process or structure.

[0195] In one embodiment of the present invention, a user has theability to make only portions of the method and process and integratedconstruct available for a project, as might be done by a teacher inorder to teach certain thinking or knowledge related skills to students,or as might be done for simple projects. For example, a teacher or otherproject assigner may wish to have students or other users focus only onportions of the total method and process and capabilities of the presentinvention. In a preferred embodiment, the project assigner can set upparameters that are later available to the project participant or user,such as project goals, project start date, project end date, and thelike. Also in a preferred embodiment, the project assigner may also“turn on” or “turn off” various parts of the archetype for the durationof the project assignment. For example, a teacher may want students tocreate only a timeline in a particular project as their analysisconstruct. One preferred embodiment of the present invention includes anelectronic, searchable list of all state educational standards for useby teachers in assigning projects. It should be appreciated that anumber of different approaches may be used to structure and assign theproject without departing from the scope of the present invention. FIG.5A indicates the input that a teacher or other source may have on theparameters and initial content for an ITKC in block 5000.

[0196] Method and Process: Definition of Project Goals and ProjectProblem

[0197] Referring to FIG. 5, specifically block 520, the archetypeprocess in a preferred embodiment facilitates the user in defining andrevising the project goals and problem or topic definition for theproject, as detailed more fully in FIG. 5A. Referring to FIG. 5A, block521, in a preferred embodiment, the process manager facilitates the userpreferably in further defining the project by entering a main problem ortopic (for example, in an educational setting, the main topic or problemmight be “What caused the development of the Constitution?”), which canbe in the form of a topic statement, a problem statement, a question, asubject, an issue, or any suitable definition of an area of interest forthe user as noted in the definition of the integrated constructcomponents discussed above. The main topic may be in any suitable mediaform. Referring to block 524 in FIG. 5A, subsequent to the creation of atitle or label and main topic for the integrated construct, the processmanager, together with the view manager, provides for choice by theuser, as indicated. If the user is ready to proceed with definingsubtopics, (or sub-problem statements, sub-questions, sub-subjects,sub-issues or any other subdivision categorization of the area ofinterest) in the integrated construct, the user may choose to proceedwith the process outlined below. For example, for the main topic “Whatcaused the Constitution?”, the user might define subtopics like “Whocreated the Constitution?”, “What is the Constitution?”, “What eventsled up to the development of the Constitution?” or others, in oneembodiment according to the process set forth below. If not, thedefinition of the problem ends. In addition, in a preferred embodiment,the process manager may provide at the same time for the user todocument or enter notes, drawings or graphics or other media as theirinitial thoughts on knowledge and information. In one embodiment, theseunstructured workspaces are labeled to be attributed to starting viewson current knowledge of the user, and starting views on needs foradditional knowledge or analysis. Referring to block 542 in FIG. 5A, theprocess manager in one embodiment also provides for the rapid abilityfor the user to indicate that other project structures are to beincluded in the project (for example, if the user in defining subtopicsor the main topic determines that a timeline is appropriate to use intheir project, they can select one in block 542, and it is createdaccording to block 540 as an “empty” knowledge construct for futurework). As defined elsewhere in this document, in one embodiment, theprocess manager may also make such suggestions to the user both withregard to specific subtopics, other project structures that should beincluded, and others. Subsequent to the creation of a title or label andmain topic for the integrated construct, the process manager of thepresent invention may preferably provide four additional options to theuser, which include but may not be limited to (as described in furtherdetail below): (a) to enter initial comments or a drawing into the mainanswer or summary view component of the integrated construct; (b (d) tonavigate to and proceed with functions associated with the project planand to do's list. However, the method and process provide for thenavigation to and choice of other components of the method, process, andassociated integrated construct components if desired by the user,although the archetype process and navigational paths encourage the userin the more closely related activities as described here.

[0198] Referring to FIG. 5A, if the user selects the option to entersubdivisions or other elaboration of the main topic, the process managerin block 525 may provide options including the following: (i) creatingfields for and entering information into a plurality of subdivisions ofthe main topic, and subdividing and linking them appropriately in acustomized fashion directly; and/or (ii) use of the topic/question helpassistance portion or tool as indicated in block 526 (and which is asubset of the total process manager suggestion capability as definedmore fully elsewhere herein) which is available to assist users indefining and revising the topic set, in order to define subdivisions orfurther elaboration of the main topic and subsequent subtopics. In apreferred embodiment, subtopics may be entered as text statements, andmay also take the form of a drawing, image or any other standard orsuitable information form, with or without the inclusion of additionaltext annotation. Using the link manager, links and associations betweenand across levels and individual subtopics may be created, including butnot limited to the level and relationship of the subtopics to the maintopic and to each other. In a preferred embodiment, multiple levels ofsubtopics can be entered and appropriately linked.

[0199]FIG. 5B illustrates a flow chart for transactions associated withone embodiment of an additional topic/question assistance method andprocess portion or tool provided by as one portion of suggestions by theprocess manager suggestor in one preferred embodiment. As illustrated inFIG. 5B, in one embodiment, the present invention may display throughthe view manager the highest level of optional topic/question approachchoices to the user available for such topic set assistance in block5262 (such as by problem type, by academic subject, and others). In oneembodiment, choosing a category or choice will generally lead to theability to review samples of topics and topic structures and potentialselection of the components of the sample topic structures for the userto associate with or input into the integrated construct, as describedmore fully below.

[0200] The following discussion refers to FIG. 5B unless otherwisenoted. As shown in block 5264, he user may be presented with categoriesor classes of model topics, questions or problem statements forselection (for example, classes of subjects). An example of thesetopic/question approach choices or categories is shown generally in FIG.5B-10, depicted in outline form. Upon the selection of the desiredcategory by the user, shown in block 5265, the process and system in oneembodiment may also present subcategories that are available to the userrelated to the category that has been chosen. An example of the use ofsuch subcategories is shown in FIG. 5B-20. It should be appreciated thata plurality of levels of categories could be so used and be inaccordance with the invention. In a preferred embodiment, as describedelsewhere, herein, the process manager may also “jump” to a suggestedquestion or topic, either through navigating the user directly to alower level choice, or by presenting the subtopic suggestion to the userdirectly, or others. Continuing with FIG. 5B, block 5266, following theselection by the user of a subcategory, in one embodiment, thetopic/question assistance portion or tool may provide a set of modeltopics or questions to the user. An example of one embodiment of suchmodel topics is shown in FIG. 5B-30, and an additional exampleembodiment of such model topics is shown in FIG. 5B-32. Followingselection by the user of a model topic, in block 5268, thetopic/question assistance portion or tool may provide a set of modelsubtopics for the user. One embodiment for the presentation of modelsubtopics for the user are shown in FIG. 5B-40. It should beappreciated, however, that modifications to the exact format orappearance of model topics and model questions can be made in accordancewith the present invention. It should further be appreciated that thefunction of providing topic/question/problem assistance in this mannercan be implemented in a variety of different forms with regard to theinformation provided at each node of the model structures, in text, orin text supplemented with images, drawings, charts, or audio support. Itshould also be appreciated that although the example provided hereindeals with a category, a subcategory, and then specific model topics,questions, or problem statements associated with that subcategory,additional levels of subcategories may be provided and selected andnavigated in a manner similar to the manner illustrated herein inaccordance with the present invention and the role of the categories,sub-categories and model topics, questions or problem statements withinthe larger system as a whole.

[0201] Options provided to the user by the process manager from such adisplay of model subtopics include, but are not limited to thefollowing: (a) selecting the model topics, questions or problemstatements individually (or as sets) “as is” for inclusion within thetopic structure of their integrated construct (as indicated in block5269 in FIG. 5B); (b) selecting the model, topics, questions, or problemstatements and subsequently editing those statements as they see fit,according to standard editing techniques, for inclusion within the topicstructure of their integrated construct; or (c) proceeding with enteringsubtopics directly, without referencing or using the model subtopics,questions, or problem statements offered by the system. If the userdesires to include a model topic (question, problem, subject or issuestatement) offered by the topic/question help tool, the user generallyindicates their “selection” of the model topic. The selected model topicis placed into or associated with the topic set of the integratedconstruct currently under construction, indicated by block 5269 and theupdate manager block 500. The user is free to either leave the modeltopic “as is” or edit the model topic as they see fit. The method,process and system of the present invention enable the user to reviewand subsequently edit their topic structure throughout the course oftheir project as they wish. It should be appreciated that the ProcessManager of the present invention may track and respond to actions by theuser with regard to the topic set, such as prompting the user if theuser indicates the desire to delete a topic or question that hasknowledge constructs associated with it, as to whether the user wishesto delete the associated knowledge constructs as well, or leave them aspart of the integrated construct, or associate them with a new oralternative topic or question, and other actions.

[0202]FIG. 4A-10 is an example of topic set for an example project,“What caused the Constitution?”

[0203] Referring to FIG. 5 block 535, in one embodiment, the processmanager's facilitation of a user's or users' definition of a problem ormain topic in block 520 results in the creation of a project structure,namely the creation of a topic set. In a preferred embodiment, the topicset may therefore be the first project structure of the archetypestructure to be created, and serves as a means to subset the projectinto meaningful portions for thinking and knowledge work.

[0204] Referring to FIG. 5, block 535, the process manager in oneembodiment provides for the creation of a project plan for the projectbeing initiated. As used herein, the project plan may be facilitated bythe present invention in a number of different forms, from veryunstructured notes and/or drawings, to a more formalized plan foractivities that the user believes needs to be done. In one preferredembodiment, the creation of any project structures is then indicated inand added automatically to the project planning view for the user. Inone preferred embodiment of the present invention, the project plan isavailable to the user throughout the course of the project development.As described further below, in a preferred embodiment, various viewsprompt the user for additional notes regarding items to consider doingnext or in future, or items or additional notes on other questions theyhave defined. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, theprocess manager collects such notes together and provides them to theuser as input to development of a project plan.

[0205] In one embodiment, the present invention may provide a number ofmodel projects or templates from which the user can select in order tostructure their project initially. Selecting such model projects ortemplates allows for the creation of a skeleton project in a quick startfashion, and may include a plurality of components, such as startingtopics, starting information constructs, starting analysis constructs,skeleton or starting meaning statements or alternative answers, as wellas starting or suggestions for activities. In one embodiment of thiscapability, the present invention may provide suggestions and optionsfor project components and activities in response to the selection ofcharacteristics or goals for the project by the user. In anotherembodiment, the present invention provides for model ITKC's for projectsdepending upon their problem or project type. It should be appreciatedthat the design of the archetype structure and archetype process lendthemselves ready to additional methods of creating starting points forprojects, and that these are within the scope of the present invention.

[0206] Referring again to FIG. 5 block 550, the process manager togetherwith the view manager provides ongoing mechanisms and in some casessuggestions to the user or users regarding evaluating the ITKC'sprogress and the user's actions and deciding what to do next (asdescribed in greater detail elsewhere herein). Such evaluation, togetherwith the ability to easily subset the thinking and knowledge workaccording to approaches and combinations used by expert problem solvers,provide an ongoing ability to develop the thinking and knowledgeassociated with the problem not possible otherwise.

[0207] Referring again to FIG. 5, in block 555, the process managerfacilitates and guides the user in selecting the appropriate subset forthinking and working on the project at various times through the courseof the project's development.

[0208] Method and Process: Editing the Integrated Construct

[0209] Referring to FIG. 3A, in a preferred embodiment, the processmanager provides the user with the ability to generally review andmodify all components that are in existence at that time part of anintegrated construct. In one embodiment, as described more fullyelsewhere herein, the process manager through the view manager mayfacilitate such modification by being selected in a suitable viewprovided to the user in which they appear. In one embodiment of thepresent invention, the selection of the integrated construct componentoccurs through placing the computer mouse in a position to cause thepointer to appear over the icon or high level representation of thecomponent on the representation. In one embodiment, the user then doubleclicks the icon or high level representation for the integratedconstruct component, and is presented with access to the detail of thecontents, structure, linkages and label for that component. In oneembodiment, one interaction with regard to a icon or highest levelrepresentation of a component (such as a double click of a mouse) maypresent a summary set of information about that component, while asecond interaction may provide a lower, more detailed level ofinformation about that component. In another embodiment, a left click ona mouse might present a summary view of a component while a right clickmight present a linkage view of that component. Views andrepresentations are described more fully in the last section of thisdocument. In this embodiment, elements associated with the selectedcomponent are then generally editable, through a commonly acceptedmechanism for interacting with computer software, as long as suchelements or the information constructs have not previously beendesignated as “protected In some instances, as described elsewhereherein, and indicated by block 370 of FIG. 3A, the process manager maymake specific suggestions to the user related to modifying components.

[0210] Referring again to FIG. 5, the process manager in a preferredembodiment facilitates the user in conducting research and gatheringinformation to be associated with their project and integrated construct(block 560), as well as organizing the data and information (chieflythrough the creation of information constructs) as indicated in block562, and/or developing or associating analyses with the project andintegrated constructs (chiefly through the creation and association ofanalysis constructs) as indicated by block 564.

[0211] The functions to conduct research, organize information andcreate, information constructs and develop analyses and analysisconstructs into or to be associated with the integrated construct, arein a preferred embodiment encouraged and made available from a pluralityof different method and process and subset view points within theprocess and system, as indicated by block 555. In a preferredembodiment, the process manager may facilitate the user in conductingresearch and developing knowledge constructs from a number of differentthinking foci, including but not limited to, for example: while focusingon an individual topic or subtopic, while focusing on the development ofthe set or a particular analysis construct, while focusing on a specificmeaning statement, and others. As an example, the process and systemfacilitates the user to gather information through research, and add,edit, or delete knowledge constructs (i.e., information constructs andinformation elements and/or or analysis constructs) to be associatedwith the integrated construct from the workspace shown on the examplerepresentation layout depicted in FIG. 7A, example embodiment of a 3-Dindividual subtopic view. A specific example of one embodiment of thisindividual subtopic representation view is provided in FIG. 7A-10.

[0212] In one such embodiment, for example, with the topic, problem orquestion of interest visibly apparent as shown for example in FIG. 7A,the process manager focuses the user on a particular subtopic, andencourages the user to conduct knowledge development activitiesaccordingly, including but not limited to: (i) the user can accesselectronic information sources, as described below, while focusing onthe particular subtopic; (ii) the user can peruse and edit the knowledgeconstructs which are already associated with that topic, problem, orquestion, according to any of a number of commonly accepted editingtechniques and described more fully below; (iii) the can also choose toenter data and information items into a new or an existing knowledgeconstruct, directly and/or from other available electronic informationsources or data provided via networks, including but not limited to theInternet or an Intranet; (iii) the user can choose to create a newknowledge construct to be associated with the particular subtopicselected; and (iv) the user is encouraged by the process manager todevelop meaning statements focused on the subtopic selected at thatpoint in time, and others. These individual knowledge building functionsare described more fully below.

[0213] Similarly, as a further example of block 555 in FIG. 5, theprocess manager may suggest or the user may choose to work on theirintegrated construct content and to add or edit knowledge constructsfrom the reference point shown on the example representation illustratedin FIG. 7C, an example embodiment of a 3-D individual meaning statementrepresentation or view. The process and system also enable the user toadd or edit knowledge constructs from the reference point of working onan individual information construct or analysis construct and itsassociated content—or an the set of information constructs or analysisconstructs—as also described in a later section.

[0214] Method and Process: Direct Entry of Information

[0215] Referring back to FIG. 5, as a part of block 560, in oneembodiment, the present invention facilitates the user directly enteringor associating data or information items with a component of theintegrated construct using an input device. In one embodiment of thepresent invention, the input device is a computer keyboard. However, itshould be appreciated that the entry of alphanumerical characters,numbers, symbols, drawings, etc. can be similarly achieved through otherspecific data entry mechanisms in accordance with the present invention(as described herein regarding user interaction approaches).

[0216] In one embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 3A block 302, the systemmonitors the user's position relative to the representation beingprovided. When the user selects a displayed portion or component of theintegrated construct, the process manager generally provides thedetailed view of the selected component or portion, via the viewmanager. The representation then generally enables the user to enterinformation into the fields or entry space as provided for the selectedcomponents and/or adjust the format of the information. The informationbeing entered may be generally in the form of alphanumeric characters, adrawing, or graphic depiction (in addition to the many forms ofinformation that may be associated with or entered into the integratedconstruct as described above). Information previously entered andgenerally associated with the selected integrated construct componentgenerally is subsequently made available for editing, additions, ordeletion, as described above. In one preferred embodiment, he processand system of the present invention also allows for the entry by theuser of information into a data storage area which may not be associatedwith any specific component of the integrated construct, but rather isto be associated with the integrated construct as a whole, primarily inthe form of an unstructured information construct. Any information soentered or edited may be subsequently associated with previously ornewly created labels or titles of components or information elements.

[0217] Method and Process: Entry of Information From Other ElectronicSources

[0218] Referring again to FIG. 5E, block 905, the process manager in onepreferred embodiment facilitates access to and copying of or referencingto information from any source which allows such copying or associatingto be accomplished, and in any suitable media form of electronicinformation. Referring to FIG. 5E, which illustrates the general processfor transactions associated with acquiring information from otherelectronic sources, in one embodiment of the present invention, theprocess manager detects the event of the user selection of the functionto conduct electronic research as indicated in block 905. Alternatively,the user may leave the present invention and independently launch abrowser or open another electronic information source, and the processmanager will facilitate the adding or associating of electronic contentin a manner which is the same in FIG. 5E for steps 910 through 920. Upondetection of the event in block FIG. 5E 905, the process manager maygenerally suspend or otherwise hold the functions of the process andsystem of the present invention underway at that time, and provide theuser with the ability to or otherwise allows the user to either launchthe Internet browser or open the other external electronic informationsource. In one embodiment, the selection of the browser or otherelectronic source is determined by user options associated with projectinitiation and setup (as for example, in the setting of the default orpreferred browser, or the preselection of specific electronic sources,as might be done by a teacher in assigning a project), as indicated inFIG. 5E block 515. In one embodiment, the present invention provides abutton or other suitable device to the user specifically to initiate theuse of other electronic information sources, as indicated in FIG. 5E,block 907. For purposes of illustration, the following descriptionfocuses on the acquisition of information via an Internet browser.However, it should be appreciated that the process for includinginformation from other electronic sources that allow such access and useare accomplished in generally a similar manner.

[0219] Continuing with FIG. 5E, in block 908, the process manager mayprompt the user with whether the user wishes to automatically enter aparticular subtopic or main topic into the target information source'ssearch field (and this may be specified in advance as part of useroptions block 515, as described above). If such automatic entry isdesired, the process manager sends the subtopic or topic content to theelectronic search field, as indicated by FIG. 5E block 808. If not, inone embodiment, uupon launch of an Internet browser (or similar launchor opening of an available electronic information source), the Internetbrowser may be made visible and actionable to the user, along with therepresentation selected at that time of regions and components of theintegrated construct. Access to several functions associated with themethod and process of the present invention are preferably availablegenerally at the same time that perusal of the electronic information asnoted above occurs.

[0220] Referring to FIG. 5E, in one embodiment, the process manager orsimilar module monitors inputs from the user concerning placement on thecomputer screen or other display device. In one embodiment, the processmanager may provide to the user the ability to send a transaction ormessage from the present invention to launch an Internet browser orotherwise open or launch another source of electronic information. Inanother embodiment, the process manager tracks the location of the mousepointer or cursor on or in the representation or display, and notifiesthe process manager whether the user is positioned and activated withinthe representation of the present invention, or is currently positionedoutside of the representation of the present invention. In oneembodiment, if the cursor or other display mechanism has left therepresentation of the present invention and is positioned and activatedgenerally on or over the Internet browser or other electronicinformation source shown concurrently as described above, the processmanager generally may complete any transactions currently underway inthe integrated construct system, and may suspend or otherwise holdsactivity within the integrated construct system, and waits until thecursor or other display and interaction mechanism is once againactivated over or in the representation area being taken for display ofthe present invention before initiating further action. The methods forevaluating the position of a cursor, mouse pointer or other similarmarker mechanism relative to a screen or other display device, andmonitoring the interaction of the user with regard to becoming active onor in different areas shown in the representation are well known tothose skilled in the art, and can be accomplished by a plurality ofapproaches in accordance with the present invention. In addition, manyapproaches could accomplish the accessibility of the ITKC to theInternet or similar sources and still be in accordance with the presentinvention.

[0221] Once launched or opened, as indicated in FIG. 5E block 910, inone embodiment, the Internet browser programs or electronic sourceprograms may generally respond to and control the user's interactionwith the browser or electronic source program. In one embodiment, as theuser views and interacts with the Internet browser or other similarlyprovided electronic information set, the Internet browser or otherelectronic information programs control and enable the user in searchingfor, finding, and reviewing information of interest. In this embodiment,the ability to copy electronic information in the form of text, images,graphs, videos, or other standard forms is similar to that possiblethrough other widely available and well understood approaches.

[0222] One embodiment of adding electronic information to the integratedconstruct with the present invention includes the following: referringto FIG. 5E block 911, using the functions provided by the Internetbrowser of choice, the user uses the mouse pointer, cursor or otherinteraction mechanism to select and highlight a section of text, image,or any other standard form of electronic information within the Internetbrowser or other electronic information source. The user may then usethe functionality readily available in the Internet browser (or manyelectronic information sources today) to copy the selected informationfrom the Internet browser or other electronic information source asindicated in FIG. 5E block 912. The user may then move the cursor orother interaction mechanism from the space that has been allocated forthe representation of the Internet browser (or other electronicinformation source) to the representation space of the presentinvention, as indicated in Figure block 913. In one embodiment of thepresent invention, the user may then provide a reactivation input to theview and/or process manager, as indicated by FIG. 5E block 913, whichmay be a click of the computer mouse to signal the user has selected aposition within the integrated construct representation space.Continuing with this illustration, in FIG. 5E block 915 the processmanager in one embodiment facilitates the user in selecting an availablecomponent of the integrated construct as it exists and is displayed atthat time or the user may select the function to create a new componentof the integrated construct through mechanisms described elsewhereherein. As indicated in FIG. 5E block 916, in one embodiment, the usermay then paste the previously copied information or information elementinto or to be otherwise associated with the selected component of theintegrated construct. Alternatively, in one embodiment, the user maycreate a new component of the integrated construct, as describedelsewhere in this document, and then paste the previously copiedinformation into or to be associated with the newly created component ofthe integrated construct. It should be appreciated that the precisemechanism for accomplishing this copying and pasting can be achievedthrough a plurality of approaches, and that any such suitable mechanismscan be used in accordance with the present invention.

[0223] In one embodiment, upon pasting the previously copied electronicinformation into or to be associated with the desired component of theintegrated construct, the process manager is notified by the transactionthat completes the paste that such an entry has occurred. Referring toFIG. 5E block 917, the process manager may in one embodiment generallymonitor that an “entry” has occurred, and prompts the user to enterinformation regarding the source of the electronic information that hasjust been copied. In one embodiment of the present invention, theprocess manager or other similar module may provide the web address thatwas active at the time the information was copied as the starting point.In another embodiment, the process manager may also provide the userthrough the view manager with the ability to enter additionalinformation regarding the source of the copied information. In onepreferred embodiment, such source information is thereafter associatedwith the information that has been so acquired for the integratedconstruct.

[0224] In one embodiment, the process manager may provide a field toaccommodate the entry of additional information regarding the title andbibliographic information regarding the information item that has beenentered. In a preferred embodiment, the process manager may also providea field in which the user can enter additional notes about the source.In another embodiment, the process manager may also provide the userwith an ability to evaluate the source used for the information. In oneembodiment of the present invention, the user may also be provided witha number of criteria and the ability to enter a ranking associated witheach of these criteria. In another embodiment of the present invention,the user may also be provided with a field or fields in which to entercomments about their evaluation of the source for the copiedinformation. It should be appreciated that a number of data formats maybe provided to the user with regard to adding information regarding thesource for the copied information in accordance with the presentinvention. When the user has completed the user's desired amount ofentering of information or comments regarding the source used for thecopied information, the user generally enters an input to the processmanager that the user has completed entering the additional informationabout the source for this entry and evaluation session. Referring toFIG. 5E block 919, in a preferred embodiment, the user may then continuewith further information searching and retrieval, or resume otherprocess portions of the present invention.

[0225] In one preferred embodiment, the process manager also evaluatesthe amount of information being copied from an open source and providesa warning to the user when the amount exceeds copyright limits.

[0226] Referring to FIG. 5E, as shown in block 110 and block 205, in onepreferred embodiment, throughout the course of searching, locating, andretrieving or copying any desired electronic information, the processmanager provides the ability to the user to change the view which iscurrently displayed by the present invention, as described more fully ina later section of the document.

[0227] Method and Process: Creating a New Unformatted InformationConstruct

[0228] Referring to FIG. 5, the process manager and archetype processfacilitates the organizing of information through the definition,population, and revision of information constructs as indicated in block562. Referring to FIG. 5C, which illustrates one embodiment of thecreation of a new information construct. Referring to FIG. 5C, when theuser selects the option to create a new information construct block5621, the process manager or similar module may prompt the user for aname or title to assign to that new information construct as indicatedin block 5622, and provide a field into which the user can enter analphanumeric character string, drawing, or picture to represent thelabel or title to be associated with the information item within theintegrated construct. The entry of information and interaction by theuser may occur using any suitable entry mechanism.

[0229] In a preferred embodiment, if the user event is in response to asuggestion that has been made by the process manager, as indicated inblock 5623, then the process manager creates the new informationconstruct as specified by the process manager suggestions, as indicatedin block 5628. In one embodiment, the user is provided the opportunityto accept or decline this new suggested information construct in anadditional verification event.

[0230] Continuing with FIG. 5C, if the user event is not the result ofresponse to a process manager suggestion, in one embodiment, the processmanager generally evaluates that a new label or title has been enteredfor an information construct, and checks to see whether an identicallabel for an information construct has been created previously, asindicated in block 5625. If there is a match between a previouslycreated label and a new label for the same class of informationconstruct, the process manager generally informs the user that anidentical match has been found, and prompts for whether the user wantsto edit the existing information construct, overwrite the existinginformation construct, or change the label to be assigned to the newinformation construct, as indicated in block 5627. In this embodiment,if there is no duplicate information construct determined by the processmanager, the process manager creates a new information construct, inblock 5628 and updates the data bases accordingly through the updatemanager, block 700.

[0231] Referring now to FIG. 5D block 5635, in one embodiment of thepresent invention, the process manager may prompt the user, through therepresentation provided by the view manager, for the structure andcontent for the information construct the user desires to create. For anew, unstructured information construct, the process manager facilitatesessentially the same capabilities to the user as described for modifyingan information construct as described below.

[0232] Method and Process: Formatting an Information Construct

[0233] Referring to FIG. 5D, In one preferred embodiment, the processmanager provides a plurality of types of information constructsavailable to the user, including but not limited to the following:People, Places, Things, Media, Ideas, Events, and Issues, available forchoice by the user as indicated in block 5637. In a preferredembodiment, the process manager also provides the ability for the userto create custom types as indicated by block 5638, allowing the user tocreate a new category or type, assign user's own label and provide adescription of the type). In a preferred embodiment, the process manageralso provides the user with the ability to relate information elementsto their custom information construct type. In a preferred embodiment,the process manager does not require the assignment of type, butprovides for information constructs that are untyped (providing anunstructured note like information storage capability). In a preferredembodiment, any information construct custom type created by the user issubsequently available for use as a type. Upon selection of one of thetypes of information constructs provided, the user may then be presentedwith several options, including the option to utilize preformattedelements as part of the information construct as indicated in block5641, create new custom formatted elements as indicated in block 5642 orthe option to structure the information construct as unformatted,freeform data. If the user chooses to structure the informationconstruct as unformatted data, the workspace and associated storageprovided to the user and to be associated with the unique informationconstruct label facilitates the inclusion of textual characters,drawings, and also for the insertion or copying and pasting of images,graphs, video, textual characters, or drawings as noted in thedescription of data entry and data types described elsewhere herein.Referring again to FIG. 5D, the process manager also provides the userthe ability to enter or change information associated with theinformation construct, as indicated in block 5644 and described infurther detail herein. An example of one embodiment of the entry of anunformatted information construct is shown in FIG. 5D-10. The amount ofinformation allowed to be included and associated with any informationcomponent label will generally vary with the precise implementation ofthe present invention, including the complexity and scope of the projectand integrated construct chosen to be developed by the user, as well aswith regard to the processing power of the device on which the presentinvention operates, and the robustness of the data storage and retrievalmechanisms employed. As stated above, one of the benefits of the presentinvention is that it provides thinking and knowledge componentstructures and formats which are and can be generally common or similaracross very different levels of complexity of the integrated constructand information, and in the associated technology employed in anyspecific implementation circumstance.

[0234] As also generally indicated by block 5639 of FIG. 5D, in thecourse of the user working on their project, the present invention inone embodiment may also subsequently provide the ability to add ordelete additional formats to the information elements associated with aninformation construct throughout the use of the method and system. Asmany or as few of the formatted information elements as the user choosescan generally be associated with a particular information construct. Ina preferred embodiment, as indicated in block 5642, the presentinvention provides for the ability of the user to create custominformation elements, with a label and an assigned type, and othercharacteristics. In a preferred embodiment, custom created informationelements are made available to the user for reuse. It should beappreciated that any specific implementation of the present inventionmay make some limiting choices regarding amount of information to beassociated with an information construct, depending upon the processingcapabilities of the technology and data storage and retrieval mechanismsto be used, and the target user audience. For example, in oneeducational embodiment, the amount of information allowed for any oneinformation construct may be limited or otherwise evaluated and flaggedto the user as questionable.

[0235] The following is a detailed illustration of one embodiment ofthis aspect of the present invention. Upon creating a new informationconstruct (or selecting an existing information construct), in apreferred embodiment, the assignment of a type by the user to theinformation construct may be monitored. Based on the type selected, theuser may be provided with the ability to select among preformattedinformation elements to associate with the information construct beingcreated or edited, as indicated in block 5641. For example, if theinformation construct “James Madison” is identified by the user as beingof the type “Person,” then the preformatted information elementsassociated with the class of information constructs known as “People”may be provided. An example of one embodiment is shown in FIG. 5D-20,and for a “Person” information construct preformatted informationelements may include for example: birth date, death date, birth place,importance, fun facts, quotes, beliefs, accomplishments, education,family, characteristics, etc. The system may provide the user with theability to select from among these preformatted information elements.Selection of formats for information elements by the user may betracked, and the selected information elements may then be associatedwith the respective information construct label, and made available asdata entry fields to the user. Some of the formatted informationelements may be highly structured, such as birth date and death date.Other formatted information elements may be subsets of informationstorage and work space which will allow the same variety of informationforms as the unformatted information component, but may be designatedunder a sub-label associated with the label for the informationcomponent: for example, “beliefs” may provide a space for informationentry but allows significant freedom by the user in the structure orformat of what information they choose to add or enter.

[0236] The present invention therefore may include the provisioning offormats for information elements associated with a plurality ofcategories or classes of information constructs which may then beprovided in representations of the present invention as subsequent dataentry and storage fields. The user may also be provided with the abilityto create their own classes of information constructs and associatedlabeled, formatted elements for their later use.

[0237] Further referring to FIG. 5D block 5639, the process manager mayenable the user to edit a previously unformatted information constructand add generally any or all of the structured formats to theinformation elements that may be associated with an informationconstruct. The options and choices available to the user are generallythe same or similar as those described above.

[0238] In one embodiment, if the user selects the option to addformatted elements to an existing information construct, as indicated inblock 5639 FIG. 5D the present invention may provide the ability for theuser to “cut and paste” or “copy and paste” information from thegeneral, unformatted workspace associated with the informationconstruct, or from a different formatted element, and place theinformation into a formatted information element, whether newly orpreviously associated with the information construct. In anotherembodiment, the present invention may enable the user to highlight orotherwise mark a section of information. A highlighted portion may alsobe associated with an information element format. The newly createdformatted information element is generally then subsequently associatedwith the information construct and unique information construct's label,as described above.

[0239] As an illustration, if an unformatted information constructlabeled “George Washington” has been created, and the user subsequentlyenters or acquires information to be associated with the “GeorgeWashington” information construct, the present invention may allow theuser to later add a structured information element such as “birth date”to the “George Washington” construct, and associate a portion of thepreviously entered information with the structured element “birth date.”The information may be associated with the structured element “birthdate” via a number of mechanisms which may include but not be limited tomethods such as: (i) cutting and pasting information from unstructureddata previously associated with the “George Washington” constructthrough direct entry as described above; (ii) copying and pastinginformation from other electronic sources, as described earlier herein;(iii) highlighting or otherwise marking a section of information andassociating it with a format for an information element; and (iv)copying and pasting or cutting and pasting information from formatted orunformatted information elements associated with other integratedconstruct components created previously by the user.

[0240] As a result, in a preferred embodiment, an information constructassociated with a unique label can then be associated with formatted,structured information elements and unformatted information, or acombination of structured and unstructured information. In a preferredembodiment, an information construct can also be associated with eithera great deal of information, and a high number of labeled informationelements, or may exist as being associated with very little informationas little as the label that uniquely identifies it.

[0241] Method and Process: Creating a New Analysis Construct

[0242] Referring back to FIG. 5, as generally indicated in block 564,the method and system of the present invention preferably provides forthe creation and editing of analysis constructs as one component type ofthe overall integrated construct, specifically as one type of knowledgeconstruct. For example, for the educational project “What caused thedevelopment of the Constitution?”, analysis constructs created by theuser might include a timeline of events leading up to the Constitution'sratification, a comparison of the beliefs of different framers, andothers. (See also description of analysis construct included as part ofthe description of the integrated construct, included herein).

[0243] As detailed in the definition of an analysis construct includedabove, in a preferred embodiment, an analysis construct as implementedby the system can include any information media form. In a preferredembodiment, analysis constructs may contain or be associated with atleast one field that may be a common part of all analysis constructssuch as a field for entering observations or comments about the analysisconstruct as a whole. In a preferred embodiment, this observational orcomment field which may be associated with analysis constructs may bealphanumeric, or contain an image, drawing, graphic or other media formas herein described.

[0244] In a plurality of representation views of the integratedconstruct and at a plurality of points in the method and process of thepresent invention, the process manager may provide the user with theability to create new analysis constructs, to view existing analysisconstructs, and edit those constructs, as described elsewhere herein.

[0245] Referring to FIG. 5F, which illustrates one embodiment of theprocess for creating a new analysis construct, the user may select theoption to create a new analysis construct. If not already provided inthe representation in use at the time, the process manager may provide alist or other like representation of the analysis constructs and/oranalysis construct types that have been created previously for theintegrated construct or are otherwise made available to the user forinclusion by the present invention. In another embodiment of the presentinvention, the process manager may allow for the presentation of a listof analysis constructs and/or preformatted analysis construct types thathave been created previously for other integrated constructs as well. Asindicated in block 5642 of FIG. 5F, in one embodiment the processmanager may provide the user with a field in which to enter a label ortitle for the new analysis construct. As with the label or title forinformation constructs, in one embodiment, the label or title for ananalysis construct may be a set of alphanumeric characters, a drawing orany other information media form. In one embodiment of the presentinvention, the process manager and update manager may also assign aunique numeric identifier to the new analysis construct.

[0246] Referring again to FIG. 5F, n one embodiment of the presentinvention, upon the user entering a title or label for the new analysisconstruct (block 5644), the contents of the title or label for the newanalysis construct may be checked for a match against the title oflabels associated with previously defined analysis constructs (block5645). In one embodiment, if the contents of the new analysis constructlabel or title matches with the contents of the label or title for apreviously created analysis construct, the user may be prompted with thea number of options, including but not limited to the following: (i)edit or change the existing analysis construct referred to by the labelor title that has been entered (block 5649); (ii) overwrite or replacethe existing analysis construct with the new analysis construct (block5648); or (iii) change the label or title that has been entered for anew analysis construct to a different label or title (block 5644).

[0247] As indicated by block 5648, in one preferred embodiment, once theuser has entered a new unique label or title for a new analysisconstruct, the system generally creates a reference for the new analysisconstruct. Thereafter, in that embodiment, the label or title of the newanalysis construct may generally be available to be used as a referencepoint for several functions such as for the user: (i) o access thecontent associated with the new analysis construct and/or its associatedobservational comment field; (ii) to add to, edit or delete the contentassociated with the new analysis construct and/or its observationalcomment field; (iii) to add, delete or edit the relationships betweenthe analysis construct and information constructs, information elementsor unstructured information, and/or (iv) to link the analysis constructto other integrated construct components such as meaning statements andsubtopics, or other such functions.

[0248] Method and Process: Adding Structure and Content to a New orExisting Analysis Construct

[0249] As further generally illustrated in FIG. 5G, once the processmanager has facilitated the user in creating an analysis construct, themethod and system of the present invention provide several ways for theuser to structure or build the analysis construct and add or associatecontent to the analysis construct. As indicated in block 5681, if theuser event is in response to a suggestion that has been made by theprocess manager, then the process manager in a preferred embodiment maycreate the analysis construct structure, as well as add any suggestedinformation constructs or other content, and modify any suggestedlinkages accordingly. In one embodiment, the process manager presentseach of the suggested substeps to the user for confirmation beforeproceeding. Referring again to FIG. 5G, in one preferred embodiment, theprocess manager provides the user with several options for formattingthe structure of the analysis construct. As indicated in block 5663, theprocess manager may provide the user with a set of preformatted analysistypes, indicated in block 5664. In this embodiment, if the user selectsone of the preformatted analysis construct types, the process managerassigns the selected type to the analysis construct, as indicated inblock 5665 and the resulting analysis construct structure in block 5674.The present invention may provide a plurality of analysis constructtypes to the user, which may include but not be limited to a sequencebuilder analysis construct, a timeline analysis construct, a qualitativecomparison and contrast analysis construct, a cycle analysis construct,a freeform drawing and diagramming analysis construct and others. In oneembodiment, the present invention may provide multiple versions or formsof any given analysis construct type.

[0250] Referring again to FIG. 5G, in one embodiment of the presentinvention, the process manager also provides the user with the abilityto create custom analysis constructs, as indicated in block 5667. In oneembodiment, the process manager provides the ability to define abackdrop or visual context for the analysis construct, as indicated inblock 5668, a structure for the inclusion and relationships ofinformation constructs and information elements (block 5669), theinclusion of one, any or all of a set of tools provided by the processmanager (block 5670) as described more fully below, and the assignmentof a label or title to the analysis construct, and if desired, adescription of the analysis construct's characteristics and use. Basedon these selections and actions, in one embodiment, the process managerthen creates a custom analysis construct (block 5672) and may ask theuser whether the user wants to save the format for future use. In oneembodiment, any such saved custom analysis construct is available forfuture use. Referring again to block 5670, the process manager providesin one embodiment for the user to choose to include any or all of anumber of tools as part of their custom analysis construct, includingbut not limited to: (i) a timeline bar tool, which can be placed as partof an analysis construct and provide the ability to set timeframes andintervals and serve as the basis for visual mapping of informationconstructs or data at the appropriate time position for the time dataelement included; (ii) a linking tool, which can be placed as part of acustom analysis construct and provides for the user to define and labellinks between information constructs, information elements, or othervisual or diagramming components; (iii) a drawing and diagramming tool;(iv) a calculating tool, and others.

[0251] Continuing with FIG. 5G, block 5673, the process managertherefore creates the structured analysis construct object as defined bythe user or based on a process manager suggestion above.

[0252] Referring then to FIG. 5H, block 5675, in one embodiment of thepresent invention, the process manager provides for several options forthe user to add information, information constructs, and informationelements to an analysis construct. In one embodiment, these options mayinclude but are not limited to the following: (i), adding or associatinglinks to information constructs in block 5676 and/or informationelements in block 5677, to be referenced in or associated with theanalysis constructs, alone or in combination with the other optionsbelow; (ii) adding or associating analysis content previously created inother analysis software programs which allow the copying and pasting, orreferencing or access to other analysis software programs; and (iii)adding information directly to be associated with the analysis constructor creating new information constructs, in block 5678, and/or (iv)entering or associating information gathered electronically with theanalysis construct, as indicated in block 5679 and described more fullyelsewhere herein.

[0253] In one embodiment of the present invention, when a user selectsan analysis construct to add or edit the content associated with thatanalysis construct, the user is presented with a workspace associatedwith the analysis construct. In one embodiment, the analysis constructworkspace generally provides the ability to the user to add alphanumericcharacters, drawing figures and/or graphic representations, as well asinclude or associate images, video or other information forms with theanalysis constructs. The representation of the analysis constructworkspace preferably includes access to the observational comment fieldassociated with the analysis construct, an optional but common fieldacross all analysis constructs. An example of a partially completedanalysis construct of an integrated construct workspace is shown in FIG.5H-20.

[0254] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5H-10, the process managermay provide the user the ability to add to or associate with theanalysis construct references to the information constructs that havebeen created. The result may be a visible representation within theanalysis construct workspace that such a reference and link has beenmade. The user can generally place these references to informationconstructs in any position on the analysis construct workspace whilestill providing for access to such items as the title of the analysisconstruct and any additional comment fields.

[0255] In one embodiment of the present invention, there are at leasttwo types of links or associations provided for the user to associateinformation constructs to analysis constructs, as illustrated in FIG.5D-10 included herein and facilitated by the linkage manager. The firsttype may include creating a link to/from an analysis construct to/fromthe label or title or representative icon of an information construct asa whole. In this manner, the reference from the analysis construct isconstrued as reference to the entire information construct as a whole,via the reference to the label or title of the information construct. Inone embodiment of the present invention, references between an analysisconstruct and an information construct may be depicted inrepresentations of the present invention by several visual mechanisms,such as by the display of a title, label or icon associated with theinformation construct. A second type of reference between an analysisconstruct and an information construct may include creating a link to ananalysis construct to/from an information element within an informationconstruct. In a preferred embodiment, the linkage manager maintains andprovides the data regarding the contents of the information element andthe title or label or other reference to the information construct withwhich the information element is associated, with both available forinclusion visibly in the analysis construct. It should be appreciatedthat these two links forms are representative of links betweeninformation constructs and analysis constructs, and that additionalforms of links may be provided in accordance with the present invention.

[0256] In one preferred embodiment, any information element soreferenced, linked or included in or associated with the analysisconstruct is based on the content associated with the informationconstruct at the time the analysis construct is viewed. In this manner,any updating or changes to information constructs and their respectiveelements are automatically also reflected in their representation andreference with regard to analysis constructs.

[0257] Method and Process: Creating a Meaning Statement Set

[0258] Referring back to FIG. 5, as generally indicated by block 570,the process manager in a preferred embodiment facilitates the user'sdevelopment and revision of a set of thinking structures which comprisethe thinking construct of the integrated construct, and which providemeaningful thinking and working subsets to the user. As describedearlier, in a preferred embodiment, these may include, for example, aset of meaning statements for inclusion with the integrated construct.The set of meaning statements may be void in an integrated construct,may be one or may include a plurality of meaning statements and/orsub-meaning statements. As discussed earlier, in one embodiment, meaningstatements are most likely to be text, but may also be created in theform of a drawing, image, diagram, or other suitable information form.Characteristics of meaning statements are generally discussed in anearlier section.

[0259] In the preferred embodiment, meaning statements may be linked tothe answer or summary set, in order to indicate the logical support ofthe answer or summary set by some portion of the meaning statements. Inanother preferred embodiment, meaning statements that are linked via thelink manager to the answer or summary set may also include additionaldesignations, such as “supports,” “contradicts” or others.

[0260] As shown in FIG. 5, the work process step represented by block570 includes defining, populating or revising a meaning statement setthat can occur in a plurality of points within the overall process. FIG.5E-10 depicts an example meaning statement set.

[0261] In one embodiment, the process manager encourages the user tocreate new meaning statements at key points in the overall process, in anumber of different portions of method and process. For example, theprocess manager provides the user with a placeholder for the creation ofmeaning statements that acts as a reminder and encourager to do so, in anumber of different portions of the overall archetype process, includingbut not limited to: while working on an individual subtopic or topic andconstructing relevant knowledge constructs, while working on the set ofanalysis and/or information constructs, while working on a particularanalysis construct, and others. In one preferred embodiment, the presentinvention facilitates the user in the creation of meaning statements andmeaning statement relationships in several ways, including but notlimited to: (i) through the encouragement and prompting to developmeaning statements while the user is thinking and/or working in anyindividual component or particular subset view; (ii) throughencouragement and prompting to consider and develop meaning statementsand meaning statements relationships as a set across all or asubstantial subset of the rest of the integrated construct components,and through thinking prompts provided by the process suggestor. It is anadvantage of the present invention that the user is also provided aportion of method and process in which the collection of theobservations and meaning statements (associated with analysisconstructs, subtopics, and other meaning statements) are made availableto the user as a set, hiding the underlying data and analysis detailsfrom which the meaning statements were derived, while still making thedetails accessible to the user (through mechanisms described elsewhereherein). It is a further advantage of the present invention that theuser is provided with the ability to quickly and easily access thesupporting (or conflicting) knowledge constructs and the associatedsubtopics, if any, from such a combined meaning statement view.

[0262] As discussed elsewhere with respect to the process managersuggestion process, in one embodiment, the process manager may accessthe contents and/or the labeled and structural relationships acrossmeaning statements, and provide suggestions to the user. In oneembodiment, the process manager may evaluate the contents andrelationships of meaning statements and make suggestions regardingreclustering or regrouping meaning statements, suggestions regardingadditional analysis constructs that may be considered, and/or identifymeaning statements that are not well supported by the knowledgeconstructs at the time.

[0263] Method and Process: Creating an Answer or Summary Set

[0264] Referring back to FIG. 5, as generally indicated by block 580, inone embodiment, the present invention provides the user with the abilityto enter or depict an overall answer or summary set for the integratedconstruct and its project. The overall answer or summary set may becreated in a plurality of information media forms, including but notlimited to text, drawings, diagrams, images, graphics, charts, etc.,preferably including at least some text explanation as well. In oneembodiment, the process manager may allow the user to include ananalysis construct as part of the overall answer or summary, preferablyalong with explanatory text.

[0265] In one embodiment, the process manager facilitates the userthinking about and capturing their initial, developing and eventuallyfinal thoughts regarding what the answer or highest level summaryunderstanding, opinion, or recommendation is for the project. The methodand process step of creating an answer or summary set for the integratedconstruct may be accessed and accomplished by the user at generally anytime after the initiation of the project. In one preferred embodiment,the answer or summary for the integrated construct is linked to the maintopic, issue, question (or other designation by the user of a subjectarea of interest).

[0266] In another embodiment, the link between main topic and answer orsummary set is created automatically by the present invention when theuser enters any information into the answer or summary set construct. Inanother preferred embodiment, the process manager facilitates andencourages the user to link the answer or summary to meaning statements.In a preferred embodiment, the meaning statements may also be designatedregarding the nature of their relationship to the answer or summary set,including relationships such as “supports,” “contradicts” and others.The answer or summary for the integrated construct may be edited andchanged throughout the development, editing, and viewing of the overallintegrated construct.

[0267] From certain representations of the integrated construct (asdescribed in the representation description below), the user may selectthe visual area associated with the answer or summary set for theintegrated construct. Alternatively, the process manager may suggestthat the user access the answer or summary set for the integratedconstruct at various points throughout the overall method and process.For example, if the user has created a high number of informationconstructs and/or analysis constructs and/or observational commentsassociated with analysis constructs, but has not yet created an answeror summary set, the process manager may suggest that the user try takinga guess at the overall answer or summary set.

[0268] If the user has previously entered or created a portion ofcontent (such as text, drawing, image, and/or other information mediaforms) to be associated with the answer or summary set of the integratedconstruct, that portion of content is displayed, and is available to theuser for editing, additions, or deleting, according to the userinteraction mechanisms defined previously in this document. The maintopic as previously entered or created by the user may also berepresented. If the user has not previously entered or created a portionof content to be associated with the answer or summary of the integratedconstruct, then the view manager may represent an empty answer orsummary component to the user when this component of the integratedconstruct is represented

[0269] In one embodiment of the present invention, the process managerprovides the user with the option to create more than one answer orsummary for the integrated construct, intended as potential alternativeanswers or summaries. In this embodiment, with the currentrepresentation of the answer or summary being represented to the user,the user can choose to add an additional or alternative answer orsummary to be associated with the integrated construct. If an additionalor alternative answer or summary is so chosen by the user, a second oradditional answer or summary workspace may be provided to be associatedsubsequently with the integrated construct. The process manager may alsoprompt the user to label, name, title or number the alternative answersor summary sets. Using the linkage manager, the user may then beprovided with the ability to develop a second set of links between thealternative answer or summary set and the other components of theintegrated construct, such as topics, information constructs, analysisconstructs, and/or meaning statements. The linkage manager generallyalso allows the user to change links from the topic set, the meaningstatement set and any linked information constructs or analysisconstructs to/from the alternative answers or summary sets beingdeveloped.

[0270] In one embodiment of the present invention, the user is providedwith the option to create and enter their opinion into evaluative fieldswith the answer or summary for the integrated construct. Theseevaluative fields may include a number of annotations for the evaluationof alternative answer or alternative summary sets, including for examplesuch annotation as “pros” and “cons” for each alternative answer orsummary, and/or a numeric or qualitative rating according to a pluralityof dimensions to indicate the user's degree of satisfaction with any onealternative answer at a point in time. In a preferred embodiment, suchevaluation is accomplished with access also to any goal statements orrequirements or similar descriptions that the user entered as part ofthe problem definition during the course of the project.

[0271] In one embodiment, the process manager may provide suggestionsregarding thinking prompts to be considered in the development of ananswer or summary statement, based on various inferences, as indicatedelsewhere herein. In another embodiment, the process manager may providea subset of interactive suggestions for thinking prompts.

[0272] Link Manager

[0273] Referring to FIG. 3A, block 605, a preferred embodiment of thetool provides for a Linkage Manager or similar module, for creating,changing, maintaining, and representing multiple links that may bedeveloped among and between selected or generally all of the componentsof the integrated construct. Such links may be simple or complex. Suchlinks may be created or changed by a number of mechanisms, including butnot limited to: (i) a specific user request or action (either inresponse to a suggestion from the process manager or initiated by theuser alone), and and (ii) created or suggested automatically by thepresent invention. The links generally represent relationships betweendifferent components of the integrated construct that are user or methodand system created. The present invention also generally facilitates theselective or continual changing or updating of those links, and theaddition of new links. FIGS. 4A through 4E show an example of links thatmay evolve between and among components of an integrated construct asgenerally provided by the present invention. FIG. 7A is a representationof an example of a linkage view, showing an example of content specificlinks supported and enabled by the archetype process and structure, asdescribed above.

[0274] As shown in FIG. 3, the link or linkage manager or similar modulegenerally creates, monitors changes to, maintains and in some casessuggests or automatically creates links between and among the componentsor elements of the components of the integrated construct. In oneembodiment, the link manager generally also creates, tracks, and manageslinks between components of any integrated construct, and otherintegrated constructs or electronic content. For example, the linkmanager provides for the inclusion of a link to a publicly available website on the Internet, associated with a component of an integratedconstruct. In another embodiment, the present invention may also providefor links between multiple integrated constructs or components ofmultiple integrated constructs, components of multiple integratedconstructs, or elements of components of multiple integrated constructs,or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, such integratedconstructs and components and elements of integrated constructs mayreside locally and/or remotely, on the same processor, on differentprocessors, or on geographically dispersed processors.

[0275] Links may be created and edited between and among integratedconstruct components in at least two ways including but not limited to:(i) links which are specified through user actions generally accordingto the interaction methods and approaches described above; and (ii)links which may be suggested to the user or provided automatically bythe method and system of the present invention, and which may beavailable to the user to change or delete if desired, as describedbelow. It should be appreciated that numerous alternative methods ortechnology approaches can be used to accomplish the creation, tracking,maintenance and representation of links among and between components ofthe integrated construct in accordance with the present invention. Inaddition, as stated in other portions of this application, it is likelythat the optimal choice for technology and data storage approach, forexample, will be dependent upon the complexity of the integratedconstruct itself, and the volume of the information to be included inthe components of the integrated construct.

[0276] In the integrated construct of the present invention, linksbetween or among components may be used to indicate an association orrelationship between those components. A plurality of suitable links maybe provided in accordance with the present invention. Examples of thetypes of links that may be provided include but are not limited to: (i)hierarchical links; (ii) lateral links; and (iii) unspecified links.Each of these is discussed further below.

[0277] One link type which may be provided by the present inventionincludes hierarchical relationships, including but not limited torelationships such as (a) higher level and more detailed, or a whole andparts (examples of which include topics, subtopics, and secondarysubtopics, or meaning statements and secondary meaning statements); and(b) supportive of or contradicting with (examples of which includeanswer or summary and meaning statements, or meaning statements andsecondary meaning statements).

[0278] Another link type which may be provided by the present inventionincludes lateral relationships, including but not limited torelationships such as: (a) associative relationships (examples of whichmay include topics and information constructs, topics and analysisconstructs, topics and meaning statements, information constructs andsources); (b) content relationships (examples of which includeinformation elements within an information construct and a particularanalysis construct, meaning statements to meaning statements,information constructs to information constructs, analysis constructs toanalysis constructs); and (c) logic relationships (examples of which mayinclude information constructs to information constructs, meaningstatements to meaning statements, topics to subtopics, subtopics tosubtopics, information constructs to analysis constructs).

[0279] A further link type that may be provided by the present inventionmay include one or more unspecified linking relationships. Similarly,the present invention may include the ability to specify that a link islikely to exist between any two components or the contents of anycomponents without specifying the type of link at that time. In oneembodiment of the present invention, this type of link is labeled as“undetermined,” “unknown,” “is related to” or provided any othersuitable or user defined label. In view of the nature of the componentsof the integrated construct, it should be appreciated that any suitablefurther or additional linkage relationships which can be defined amongor between groups of components or individual components (i.e., group togroup, individual to individual, individual to group, and group toindividual) of the integrated construct can be employed in accordancewith the present invention.

[0280] In conjunction with specifying that a link exists between oramong different components of an integrated construct, the presentinvention may provide the user with the ability to designate a label ortype to the link. In one embodiment, the specification of the type to beassociated with a link is provided as a field into which a user caninput a text, graphic, or drawing designation as a label for the link.This enables the user to explain why the user believes a relationshipexists and to define the nature of the relationship between two or morecomponents and thus the purpose of the link. This is one of thefunctions that also allows the present invention to track and documentthe user's thinking. The user can subsequently change or add to thelinks or the reasons associated with the links and therefore thislinking assists in enabling the present invention to track and documentthe user's thinking process. The present invention may in one embodimentsave subsequently changed links to track and allow the user and othersto see how the user's thinking process progressed, as it does with otherintegrated construct components. This may allow another person such as(i) a teacher to see the links created by the user and why the usercreated such links, or (ii) a person or team to share their reasoningand thinking in a project with another person or team. Such sharing canhelp the user in refining and developing the user's thinking processes.Such tracking may also provide the user with an ability to review theirown patterns of thinking and linking in the course of completing theirproject.

[0281] In another embodiment, the user can specify the nature of anylink by the designation of an arrow-like direction (either direction ora two-way relationship). In yet another embodiment of the presentinvention, the specification of the type to be associated with a linkmay be accomplished by the present invention providing a menu of linktypes from which to choose. It should be appreciated that there are aplurality of approaches to accomplishing the user's ability to indicatea type or nature of the relationship to be associated with a linkbetween or among components of the integrated construct that could beused in accordance with the present invention.

[0282] The present invention provides for some linkages between andamong components of the integrated construct that may be providedautomatically. For example, in one embodiment, the present invention mayprovide for the automatic creation of links between components basedupon the characteristics of the representation or view the user is usingat the time a new component is created. For example, if a user is usinga representation of a specific topic view at the time the user creates anew information construct, then the present invention may automaticallyspecify a link between the information construct and the specific topicthat was the focus of the view at the time of the informationconstruct's creation. Similarly, for example, if a user is using arepresentation of a specific analysis construct at the time that aninformation construct is created, the present invention mayautomatically link the information construct to the analysis constructand suggest to the user that they specify how the information constructis related to the analysis construct, or delete such a recommended link.Such automatic linking makes the process of creating and managingrelationships across project components—which can become verycomplex—significantly easier and more productive for the user.

[0283] In yet another example of automatic linkages that may be providedby the present invention, the present invention may provide secondaryassociations to the user, based on primary associations. For example, inone embodiment of the present invention, if a component of theintegrated construct “A” has a relationship with another component “B”and component “B” has a relationship with component “C,” then thepresent invention may provide the link “A has a relationship with C” asa suggestion or automatically. The archetype process may also show thissecondary relationship to the user and ask whether the user wants thissecondary relationship to be retained or not.

[0284] In the preferred embodiment, such automatically generated orsuggested linkages do not detract from the ability of the user to thenlink the newly created components to other components (or in otherviews). By providing these and other automatic linkages or linkagesuggestions, however, the present invention reduces the users effort atcreating and managing such linkages and increases the probability thatmeaningful linkages will be created and maintained. The system may alsoallow the user to override any such linkages suggested or createdautomatically by the present invention.

[0285] View and Representation Manager

[0286] Referring now to FIG. 3, one embodiment of the view andrepresentation manager of block 200 is described and depicted in furtherdetail in flowcharts in FIGS. 3C, 3D-10 and 3C-20. In a preferredembodiment, the present invention includes a view and representationmanager which is operable to provide to the user differentrepresentations which provide the portions of archetype process, and theassociated portions or totality of the integrated construct, itscontent, structure, linkages as it develops. In the description thatfollows, a distinction is intended between “views” provided by thepresent invention (being combinations of portions of method and processand the content, structure, and linkages of the integrated construct soas to provide meaningful thinking and working sets) and“representations” provided (being the visual and interactiveprovisioning of the views to the user or users, in a plurality of visualand interactive forms). In the following description, the softwaremodule(s) that accomplish these capabilities is termed “view andrepresentation manager” but may be referred to as “view manager” asshorthand in the description that follows. Views and representations maybe changed in response to user inputs and actions, as described ingreater detail below. In one embodiment, different views orrepresentations may also be suggested by the process manager to theuser, as a means of guiding the user's thinking and work, based upon theevaluation of the user's current view, activities and content progressin the integrated construct, project completion rules, and other itemsas described herein.

[0287] The views and representations provided by the present inventionthrough the view and representation manager generally provide the userwith several advantages, including but not limited to the following: (i)the representations accomplish guidance and feedback to the user byproviding a meaningful subset of their content associated with theirintegrated construct and also the portions of method and process thatthe user is likely to want to use or may want to consider using,according to exemplary project approaches, with those portions ofcontent; (ii) the views represent the user's ITKC and activities invarious ways against the expectations of the archetype process andstructure, to various degrees, as a means of providing coaching andfeedback; (iii) the views and representations enable a user to work onan integrated construct from a plurality of viewpoints with easynavigation between these viewpoints, in a way which allows the user tofollow their own instincts and thoughts regarding what type of thinkingor knowledge work they should pursue next (such as working on anintegrated construct from the perspective of “what questions was Itrying to answer?” and then switching to “what do I think the answermight be?”) without having to do additional work to reconstitute theproject's information; (iv) the present invention provides useful viewsand representation of focused thinking and/or knowledge activity type—(for example, focusing on the definition of the problem through a setof topics, focusing on analysis, or others), and useful “slices” orother subsets of combinations of the components of the integratedconstruct (such as the “slice” view of a particular subtopic and itsassociated components and method and process) which generally correspondto a natural thinking or knowledge related work process, and in so doingprovide a way of guiding working on a potentially complex integratedconstruct and the archetype process, by subsetting the integratedconstruct and the appropriate portions of method and process intomeaningful thinking and working views; (v) in one preferred embodiment,the views and representations may provide visualization of what nextthinking and work steps are likely to be useful for the user to pursue,through a number of different approaches, such as by placing the visualdepiction of the “visible next views” associated with the related workactivity in proximity or otherwise visible or easily accessible from thecurrent working view for the user, and by depicting gaps to the user;(vi) the views and representations provide a context for work by theuser that in a preferred embodiment may allow the present invention todetermine links that should be made automatically between components ofthe integrated construct, as described more fully in the discussion ofthe linkage manager, and others.

[0288] A later section describes examples of the views andrepresentation types which may be provided by the present invention inone or several embodiments. In the description provided herein,reference is primarily made to replacing a current in-use view with adifferent view, primarily in response to user actions and requests andevaluation and optimization by the view manager and suggestions by theprocess manager or similar module. However, it should be readilyappreciated that allowing a user to have multiple views orrepresentations as provided by the invention visible and/or accessibleat generally the same time is in accordance with the present invention.

[0289] Referring to FIG. 6A, a schematic of some categories of viewtypes provided by a preferred embodiment, representations or viewsprovided by the present invention in one embodiment may for exampleprovide views of at least these general types, including both globalrepresentation and navigation approaches, and local or focusedrepresentation and navigation approaches. For example, referring to FIG.6A, in one embodiment, global views may include but not be limited to:(i) views of the total integrated construct, conveyed against archetypeexpectations to varying degrees and levels of detail, as indicated byblock 80; (ii) views which subset the total ITKC into visuallydistinctive regions and/or which may show the level of activity or workconducted and/or components constructed in those regions and/or slices.Examples of local navigation view types provided by one embodiment mayinclude: (i) views of a region, being a similar type of archetypethinking or knowledge work process portion and the associated thinkingor knowledge components as depicted in blocks 70, 72, 74, 76, and 78 inFIG. 6A (such as a topic set); (ii) views of a slice or subset of theintegrated construct and its associated method and process, as indicatedby block 82 in FIG. 6A, being a useful, generally filtered or subsettedcombination of some of the components of the integrated construct andtheir associated portions of method and process of the present invention(for example, a meaning statement and its associated knowledgeconstructs), (iii) views of individual ITKC components, such as anindividual information construct, as indicated by block 85 in FIG. 6A,(vi) views of sets of ITKC components, such as a set or sets ofinformation constructs, analysis constructs, and others. Views andrepresentations of one preferred embodiment are later described morespecifically. t. It should be appreciated that different audiences maydesire or respond better to somewhat different depictions or forms ofthese views, such as due to age or specific application differences. Forexample, the specific rendition of the interface for a ten-year-old userin an educational setting is likely to differ from the rendition of theinterface for an adult problem solver, although the basic functionalitymay be very similar, and the general work steps and associated views maybe generally similar. Given the general purpose nature of the integratedconstruct and its associated method and system, it is further expectedthat new or adjusted forms of representation of the integrated constructcontents and their associated method and process may similarly bedefined in accordance with the present invention.

[0290] As described elsewhere herein, the views and representationsprovided by the present invention are not dependent upon operatingsystem, hardware, data storage and management mechanisms, nor are theydependent upon the specific programming techniques employed for theirimplementation or specific transactions used to accomplish therepresentations and their associated functionality. The views providedby the present invention largely provide the function, value andadvantage inherent in the present invention largely regardless of thetechnical approach taken for their implementation. It is most likelythat the processing capabilities of the technology used forimplementation may affect the precise form and approach used torepresent the view to the user (for example, using 3D images inenvironments with low computer processing power, as opposed to complex,fully functioning 3D rendering of the structure for the representation),as opposed to the nature of the view elements, content, and method andprocess to be used. The representations may also be provided in aplurality of forms, including but not limited to electronic display andprinted paper or other outputs. Referring to FIG. 3C, the view andrepresentation manager monitors user events and determines whether theuser event indicates a desired change in view, as indicated by block205. In one embodiment of the present invention, the primary userinteraction device is a computer mouse, which may move a cursor or othermarker on a computer screen to indicate the location of the user'sactivity, and a keyboard. Alternatively, in this embodiment, the viewand representation manager may also monitor the placement and level ofactivity associated with a computer cursor placed in a position on orwithin the representation or view using directional or other keys on acomputer keyboard. In addition, as described above, a plurality of userinteraction devices may be used, including but not limited to touchscreens, voice activation, stylus pen, or other interaction mechanisms.Also, as described previously, the display device may be a plurality ofdisplay devices and mechanisms. In one embodiment, indicators to theview manager that a changed view is desired may include the selection bythe user of: a component visible in the current view, subset of acurrent view, visible next view, selection of different level of detail,a different view from the ITKC overview, a different view from a dropdown menu, and others as described elsewhere herein. If no change inview is indicated as shown in block 205 FIG. 3C, no further action istaken.

[0291] Referring again to FIG. 3C, the view and representation managerin one embodiment determines in block 210 whether the user's selectionof a new view is in response to a suggestion that has been provided bythe process manager. If so, the view manager receives input regardingthe recommended view parameters in block 215 from the process manager,which set the parameters for the view manager in block 270 as the basisfor later filtering the contents, structure, linkages and method andprocess to be provided (block 272), composition of the appropriate viewelements (block 275) and view optimization and rendering (block 290).Referring again to FIG. 3C block 210, in one embodiment, if the viewmanager determines that the changed view is not in response to asuggestion by the process manager, then the view manager evaluates theuser position and action in block 220 and determines the appropriate newview parameters in block 265 which then set the parameters for the viewin block 270. The view manager or similar module therefore determinesand subsequently provides the appropriate view parameters to create theappropriate representation of the desired view, including the integratedconstruct content, structure, linkages, and appropriate associatedportion of the method and process to the display or display device. Inone preferred embodiment of the present invention, the process manageror similar module may evaluate the user movements and providesuggestions to the user for next views to try, based on an evaluation ofcurrent user actions together with items such as the status of thecontent and structure of the integrated construct and project completionrules, as described elsewhere herein.

[0292] Referring to FIG. 3C-10, further detail of the logic of the viewand representation manager for one embodiment is shown, in order toevaluate the user position and action (block 220) and determine new viewparameters, block 260. The view manager in block 222 determines thecurrent view parameters, based upon the set of specific view definitionsprovided by the present invention in block 224. In one embodiment,specific view definitions may include but not be limited to some or allof the following: (i) the component types included from the ITKC (suchas topics, information constructs, etc.), (ii) the basis or centralcomponent on which the ITKC components are to be filtered for inclusionin the specific view, (iii) portions of method and process to be madeavailable to the user in the specific view, (iv) subset or level ofdetail to be provided for included components in the specified view, (v)linkages that are to be made visible or available to the user in thespecific view, and (vi) other views which are to be made most closelyavailable or appear to be related to the user in the specified view, andothers, Referring again to FIG. 3C-10, in one embodiment, the view andrepresentation manager monitors whether the user has selected a nextvisible view (block 225) or used another means to select a differentview, such as a drop down menu (block 226), or changed position within aview (block 227) which warrants a change in the filtering of components,linkages and portions of method and process (block 230) to be includedin the specific view chosen by the user. Continuing with FIG. 3C-10, inone embodiment the view manager further evaluates whether the user hasindicated a desired change of detail (block 234), which sets the filterparameters in block 240 for level of detail. Continuing with FIG. 3C-10,the view manager evaluates whether the user has indicated a change inrepresentation type (for example, 3 dimensional, 2 dimensional, outlineand matrix representational types) in block 244 or in representationaltype form (block 246) as the basis for determining display parameters tobe used for the new view in block 250, from the display options providedby the present invention in block 242.

[0293] Referring still to FIG. 3C-10 block 242, in a preferredembodiment, the present invention may provide for the selection ofrepresentation types by the user. Representation types as used hereinrefer to different types of representation or means of visuallydepicting a view to a user or group of users, which provide for sets ofviews which are generally functionally the same, but whose appearance isdifferent in the manner in which they are represented.

[0294] The present invention, through the view manager, may in oneembodiment provide the user with a number of different representationtypes as options for representing and displaying the integratedconstruct and the associated method and process portions which areprovided by the present invention. In one embodiment of the presentinvention, the user may be provided with the following options forrepresentation types: (i) three-dimensional representation(s); (ii) anoutline or tree-type representation; (iii) two-dimensionalrepresentation(s), and (iv) a matrix representation. In addition topersonal preferences for representation by different users, it is alsolikely that the optimal representation type for the specific integratedconstruct may differ by the nature, size, and complexity of theintegrated construct itself.

[0295] Referring again to FIG. 3C-10, the view and representationmanager in one embodiment monitors selection by the user ofrepresentation form or shape in block 244. For each representation typeprovided by the present invention, there may be a plurality of specificforms or shapes provided for choice by the user. In one preferredembodiment, for example, the view manager may provide for the selectionof the representation form associated with a three-dimensionalrepresentation, for example, the user may be provided with a pluralityof specific three dimensional shapes from which to choose the manner inwhich their particular integrated construct and the associated methodand process will be represented (examples of which are illustrated inFIGS. 6I-6V). It should be appreciated that a plurality ofthree-dimensional shapes and a plurality of degrees of visual detail inthe depiction can be employed in accordance with the present invention.A more detailed explanation of the characteristics of shapes that may beoptimal for use in a three-dimensional representation of the integratedconstruct is included in the description of the specific views set forthin the representation section below.

[0296] Continuing with FIG. 3C-10, the view and representation manageror similar module may monitor the specific view and representation beingdisplayed at a particular point in time, as indicated in block 222. Inone embodiment, the present invention generally provides the user withthe ability to change the specific view and representation beingdisplayed through a number of different interaction mechanisms, whichmay include but not be limited to the following: (i) user movement of aninteraction device to send an input to the view manager or processmanager indicating the selection of a different view which is visiblefor access in the representation of the current view which may be placedas an adjacent view (referred to hereafter as visible next view); (ii)user selection of a component of the integrated construct which isvisible in the current view in order to obtain a more detailed view ofthe content, structure and/or linkages associated with the selectedcomponent; (iii) user selection of a link which is visible in thecurrent representation view; (iv) user selection of an area or subset ofthe overall integrated construct representation, which is associatedwith a specific view; (v) user selection of a view provided through aconventional menu list, and others.

[0297] With regard to choice (i), in one embodiment, the availability ofrelated views may be depicted as a part of the representation in currentuse, or indicated or implied by the placement orientation or theintegrated construct, or indicated as available at the boundaries of thescreen or other display device (in the case of more detailed views inwhich the outer boundaries of the integrated construct are not visible).These related views are termed “visible next views” for the purposes ofclarification herein. Referring to FIG. 6D, an example of a visible nextview available from a specific current view block 82 a is shown in FIG.6D block 82 b. More specifically, the view manager may present to theuser both “visible next views” those for which a portion of the view isactually available, as shown in FIG. 6F block 82 a, and also views whichwhile not immediately visible, are implied as available through theirimplied position, such as the implied related next views indicated byblock 82 c in FIG. 6F. Referring to FIG. 6E, examples of visible nextviews and implied next views are indicated for one embodiment of a 2dimensional version of the representation structure.

[0298] Returning to the discussion of the 3 dimensional representation,specifically, user selection of such a visible next view may beaccomplished as follows. In one embodiment, while a particularrepresentation is being displayed, the present invention may generallymonitor user actions and inputs. In this embodiment, if the userinteraction device is moved in a way to place the user interactionmarker within or upon an area of the representation view whichrepresents a different, visible next view (or up to a screen boundarythat implies a visible next view), the view manager generally replacesthe current view with the new view so indicated. In one embodiment ofthe present invention, the movement may also be accompanied by anadditional user interaction message, such as a click of the computermouse or other device, in order to verify that the user does indeed wishto move and replace the existing representation view with a differentview.

[0299] With regard to choice (ii) above, in one embodiment, within anyspecific representation, the present invention may generally monitorwhether a user selects a specific component that is at that timeavailable in the view. Specifically, in one embodiment, the component ofthe integrated construct may be being displayed as part of a view as anicon, name, title, summary field, or other suitable high levelrepresentation. In one embodiment, the user may select the specificintegrated construct component through the use of a computer mouse and astandard double click interaction (for example, the user might selectthe icon for the person information construct “James Madison” whileworking in the individual subtopic view with which James Madison isassociated, such as the subtopic “Who created the Constitution?”. Itshould be appreciated that many approaches can be used to provide amessage from the user to the view manager and process manager that theuser has selected a component within a view in accordance with thepresent invention. In one embodiment, the view manager responds to theuser event of selection of a component of the integrated construct toindicate a request for a more detailed view of that component asreferenced above in (ii), and the present invention may display one, aplurality of or all of the contents, structure, and linkages associatedwith the selected component. In one embodiment of the present invention,this more detailed representation is provided in a pop-up likeadditional representation space or window on the computer screen, in theapproximate position as the high level component that was selected. Inone embodiment of the present invention, the detailed representationspace for the selected component can also be moved and repositioned onthe display area while it is open at any time. In one embodiment, morethan one integrated construct component may be so visible and availableto the user at the same time. Upon selection and displaying a moredetailed representation of any integrated construct component, thecontents and format of the selected component may be added to, changed,deleted, or reformatted as desired by the user, as described further inthe method and process description of the present invention includedherein.

[0300] With regard to choice (iii) above, in one embodiment, the usermay also indicate the selection of a link represented as associated to acomponent of the integrated construct. In this embodiment, the presentinvention may display the component associated with the chosen link,which may not be visible in the current view, and provide the user withthe ability to navigate by selecting the link to a view of thereferenced or linked component, thus changing the component that iscentral to the view.

[0301] With regard to choice (iv) above, in one embodiment, the user mayindicate the selection of an area or region of a representation, such asthe topic set region as a whole from the viewpoint of working on onetopic or question. In this embodiment, when the user selects such aregion or other visually distinguishable area, the present invention mayreplace the current view with the view so selected.

[0302] With regard to choice (v) above, in one embodiment of the presentinvention, the options available for representation types and specificviews are also made available to the user in one or a number of moreconventional manners, such as through the use of a drop down menu,through the assignment of specific key combinations on the keyboard (acommon convention which is typically targeted at allowing more expertusers to interact with a software program more quickly and directly thanpull down menus with multiple levels of options typically provide) andothers.

[0303] The present invention uses a number of approaches to providevisual and process feedback to the user as they take actions. Againreferring to FIG. 3A, in a preferred embodiment, when the user choosesto add or modify a component to their integrated construct (such as anew information construct) as shown in blocks 420 and 400, the processmanager and update manager may add the components to the integratedconstruct through the update manager block 700, and the view manager maygenerally add the appropriate rendition of that new component to therepresentation view directly following the user action that initiatedthe action, by initiating a changed view, block 205.

[0304] Continuing with FIG. 3C-20, in one embodiment, logic modules tooptimize and render the appropriate representation are shown. In FIG.3C-20, block 283, the view and representation manager evaluates theintended view elements, including the number of various component typesand/or the completeness of the components, that have been determined tobe included in the intended new view. In one embodiment, eachrepresentation type has a set of “default” view designs or approachesthat are preferred in most cases. Continuing with FIG. 3C-20, the viewmanager in one embodiment may, as shown in block 284, evaluate theappropriateness of the representation type chosen by the user for thecomplexity, structure, number of components and other factors asevaluated by the present invention in block 283. For example, a highnumber and complex set of topics and subtopics may be better shown in anoutline form for working than in a web like depiction as part of the 3dimensional representation, described in greater detail below. If theview and representation manager identifies a more optimal representationtype, then the suggestion is provided to the view manager, in block 290,and may result in a different user event. Continuing with FIG. 3C-20, ifthe user does not wish to change their representation type, or if therepresentation type has not been identified by the present invention assuboptimal, then the view and representation manager in block 286composes and optimizes the representation according to the requirementsof the different representation types, such as 3 dimensional, outline, 2dimensional matrix and more conventional approaches (described morefully elsewhere herein). Based on the representational type and thespecific representation composition, in block 287, in one embodiment,the view manager determines both context graphics and content andfunctional elements for the new view and representation. For example, inone three dimensional embodiment which may be suitable for lowerprocessing environments, the view manager may utilize images, such asJPEG or GIF files, which depict a three dimensional like structure invarious views, as a graphic backdrop against which other actionableelements are added, in order to achieve the appearance and functionalityof a three dimensional representation approach without the processingoverhead associated with a full 3 dimensional rendering, which is analternative 3 dimensional representational approach.

[0305] Continuing with FIG. 3C-20, in one embodiment, as shown in block288, the view manager then determines the optimal placement and size ofelements and functions to be displayed in the representation. Forexample, in one embodiment of the 3 dimensional representation, a visualarea is defined for the addition of information constructs to a specificsubtopic view. In one embodiment, if less than 12 information constructsare associated with the specified subtopic, then the informationconstructs are shown as icons with labels, spread out evenly in thespace. In another embodiment, the placement of the informationconstructs associated with the specific subtopic may be arrangedaccording to their completeness and complexity of content elements anddata, or according to a rating of importance as indicated by the user.In this same embodiment, if more than 12 information constructs, forexample, are associated with a specific subtopic view, then the presentinvention in block 288 may instead display the information constructs asa scrollable list and potentially as a ranked list, with labels andreduced or non existence icons.

[0306] The present invention in one embodiment may use several differentvisual techniques to provide visual feedback to the user and therebyencourage appropriate thinking and knowledge behavior. For example, inone embodiment, if the new component is created and no additionalinformation has been added to the component, the view manager mayrepresent that new component in the appropriate view as present butempty (for example, through the depiction of an empty outline for anicon for an empty person information construct, with a title only), orotherwise lighter or less evident visually than a component withsignificant content. In a similar embodiment, if information issubsequently associated with the new component by the user, then theview manager may display the new component with a visual indication ofno longer being empty. In one embodiment of the present invention, thedistinction between empty (created but not yet used) components andthose with which additional information has been associated isaccomplished through the use of graphic elements which are empty ortransparent and those which are later no longer transparent, or depictedin a darker and more opaque hue. It should be appreciated that aplurality of graphic and visual distinctions may be used to depict therelative completeness of a component or its links that have been addedto the integrated construct in accordance with the present invention.

[0307] Continuing with FIG. 3C-20, in block 283, in one embodiment, theview manager may count the number of subtopics, secondary subtopics,meaning statements, secondary meaning statements, information constructsand analysis constructs associated with the integrated construct, andcalculate the number of sides, facets, or areas and size and anglesrequired to render and include an appropriately sided polygon in therepresentation. In FIG. 3C-20, block 287, on one embodiment, the viewmanager may then utilize these counts to provide representations inwhich visual depictions of the integrated construct correspond to thespecific numbers of components in the specific integrated constructbeing represented. In this manner and in these embodiments, the geometryof the representation of any integrated construct in this embodimentwill generally embody the number and levels of components that have beenconstructed by the user to date.

[0308] More specifically, in one embodiment of the three dimensionalrepresentation of the present invention, the number of visually evidentsides, facets, surfaces, or areas provided visually for each region(such as the topic set region) defined by the view manager maycorrespond to the number of subtopics or secondary subtopics which theuser has defined at that point in time. In another embodiment, thenumber of sides or visual areas shown for one type of the components mayvary according to the number of higher level components (such asaccording to the number of topics as opposed to subtopics), and depictthe subportions of the component as areas divided into or onto, forexample, the side views, facets, surfaces or areas. In one embodiment,the view and representation manager may similarly provide visualdifferentiation regarding the use of different thinking and work processportions, and the underlying structure and specifically the number ofcomponents of an integrated construct if represented in the outline,two-dimensional or matrix form.

[0309] Returning to FIG. 3C-20, in one embodiment, followingdetermination of the appropriate contextual graphics and capabilities inblock 287, and the placement of elements and functions appropriately forthe desired view in block 288, the view and representation managerrenders the representation view accordingly.

[0310] Further details regarding specific views and additional detailson representation approaches provided by the present invention aredescribed below. It should also be appreciated that many representationforms can be used to create the functional advantages provided by thispresent invention, and therefore additional representation forms do notdepart from the scope or intention of the present invention as describedherein.

[0311] Views and Representations

[0312] The present invention provides a set of related views and aplurality of representation approaches which display portions or thetotality of or the integrated construct (including content, structureand linkages) throughout its lifecycle and enable the associated methodand process of the present invention to be accessed, viewed and workedupon by the user in appropriate combinations in association with theportions or the totality of the integrated construct. The presentinvention's definition of elements and functions that together comprisethe capabilities of the views and representations, the visualcombinations provided, the feedback provided by these combinations tothe user, and their navigational relationships to one another, are onemanner in which the present invention facilitates and guides the useraccording to exemplary thinking and knowledge approaches for an inquirybased project.

[0313] Additional specification of the manner in which views andrepresentations are provided in accordance with the present invention isincluded elsewhere in this document above, such as in the descriptionsof the view and representation manager and of user interaction. In oneembodiment of the invention, the view manager provides for the user tohave more than one view of displayed at the same time.

[0314] The contents of the integrated construct may be varied,containing a plurality of components and of linkages between components,as shown in FIG. 4E. It should be appreciated that such linkages canbecome complex and numerous. The representations provided by the presentinvention provide meaningful overall and subset views of the pluralityof components and relationships between components together withportions of method and process to be used by the user in the specificview which may exist at any point in the completion of a project andcreation and development of an integrated thinking and knowledgeconstruct.

[0315] As illustrated generally in FIG. 1D??, in one embodiment, thecombination of views and representations provided by the presentinvention may enable a user to choose to work on the same integratedconstruct from a number of different angles or vantage points, generallywithout having to do additional work to edit, reconstitute, orreorganize the underlying information in order to do so.

[0316] In one embodiment, the views and representations provided by theview manager may be changed and depicted in order to provide visualrepresentation according to changes in the integrated constructcomponents, content, and linkages, as well as the user's or users'activity and actions in different thinking and knowledge processportions, thereby providing the user with an ongoing depiction of andguidance for the progress in developing the integrated construct for aproject.

[0317] The views provided by the present invention generally provide abasis for stability and familiarity across projects and integratedconstructs, as different integrated constructs will in one embodimenthave similar view capabilities, which may include such common items as:method and process capabilities by general thinking and knowledge typeof activity, common generally available method and process and tools,common general types of ITKC components that may be included in orassociated with an integrated construct, and others. In addition, in oneembodiment, the general characteristics of the views, regions and subsetsections or slices provided by the present invention may be generallythe same across integrated constructs, providing a familiar context forthinking and knowledge activities, even though the content provided inthose views differ according to the content and structure of differentintegrated constructs and of an integrated construct at the point inwhich it is being represented.

[0318] Although general options for method and process, components andviews available are in many embodiments of the present inventiongenerally common across different occurrences of integrated constructs,representations of specific projects and integrated constructs arelikely to differ in several key respects, as described in greater detailin other sections herein. For example, the views provided by the presentinvention of different projects and integrated constructs are likely todiffer from one another in the number and complexity of the topic setbeing addressed, in the selection of the components for inclusion withthe particular integrated construct or associated with any portion orspecific component of the ITKC, in the number and completeness ofcomponents included in the integrated construct (such as informationconstructs and analysis constructs), in the number of thinking and workspaces created for various components, in the specific linkages, andothers. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention may employ anumber of different visual and design approaches in views andrepresentations in order to depict and feedback to the user theirprogress so far against the exemplary and/or potential thinking andknowledge activities that may be or are intended to be done, asdescribed elsewhere herein.

[0319] For example, in one preferred embodiment, the view andrepresentation manager may create a representation of the ITKC and itsassociated thinking and working areas as a visual skeleton in theearliest steps of the user's development of their integrated construct.As the user then adds components and content to the integrated construct(as described above), the view and representation manager changes therepresentation accordingly. In one embodiment, for example, earlyportrayals of the integrated construct include representations of emptyintegrated construct regions or areas where no user activity has yetoccurred, or where activity has occurred but no components of thatregion's or area's type have been created, or where the user has created“empty” components, and others. In this manner, the representationsprovided by the present invention are a visualization of the user'sintegrated construct as it develops as well as its potential for beingthe basis for the user to identify additional development that has notyet occurred. For example, in one embodiment, a topic or question whichhas been created but which has associated with it as yet no informationor analysis constructs may be shown with empty working areas for theassociation of information constructs and analysis constructs and otherrelated components. At a high level, such a subtopic in one embodimentwould be depicted as existing but empty. In another example, the topicor question area which then had a small amount of information associatedwith its associated Information constructs or analysis constructs mightbe shown as translucent or pale in color, while the same topic orquestion with a significant amount of information associated with it maybe shown as more opaque and brighter. The intent is to visuallydistinguish progress in the components and regions or areas of theintegrated construct. It should be appreciated that such distinctionscan be accomplished through a variety of mechanisms and not depart fromthe scope and intent of the present invention.

[0320] In one embodiment of the present invention, as indicated in FIG.3C-10 block 244, the view manager may provide user with the ability torepresent the integrated construct and its associated method and processin a plurality of forms, based on the display options provided in block242, such as the following: (i) three-dimensional representation(s);(ii) outline or tree form for representation(s); (iii) two dimensionalrepresentation(s), and (iv) matrix representation(s). In otherembodiments, the present invention may provide one, some, or all ofthese different representational forms as choices for the user or users.In one embodiment, the user can choose to work on and view theintegrated construct through any of these representations, and the viewelements and associated method and process available to the user behavein generally the same way across the different representation types.Changes in representation type may be triggered to the view manager bythe user through a plurality of selection mechanisms, including but notlimited to use of a conventional drop down menu and others.

[0321] Referring again to FIG. 3C-10, as shown in block 246, the presentinvention in one embodiment may also provide the user the ability tochoose specific representation forms or shapes for a specificrepresentation type. For example, in one 3-D embodiment of therepresentation provided by the present invention, the view manager alsoprovides a choice of the specific shape in which their integratedconstruct will be represented, examples of which are shown for thethree-dimensional representation in FIGS. 6I-6V.

[0322] In one embodiment, categories of views provided by the presentinvention include but are not limited to the following types, depictedschematically in FIG. 6A, each of which may provide feedback to the useron their progress relative to the scope of the view, guidance on relatedthinking and knowledge activities, and navigation access to the user:(i) overall or global views of the integrated construct, allowing theentirety of the integrated construct and/or the entirety of the methodand process of the present invention to be represented (block 80; (ii)views which correspond to regions, thereby showing the set of likeintegrated construct components and method and process, associated witha common type of thinking or knowledge work (as in problem definitionand topic sets, analysis and analysis constructs, etc) (blocks 70, 72,74, 76, 78); (iii) slice or subset views, which provide a view of acollection of related components of an integrated construct and theirassociated method and process, and enable the user to work in meaningfulsubsets across the integrated construct (examples which include theindividual topic view, the individual meaning statement view, andothers) (block 82); and (iv) individual component views (block 85), andothers. Specific examples of these view types for one embodiment of thepresent invention are described in the following section.

[0323] Referring to FIG. 3C in block 272, in one embodiment, the viewand representation manager filters the total ITKC and its associatedmethod and process based on parameters set for a new view, as indicatedin block 270. The view manager may therefore create a plurality of viewsand subsets from such filtering. In one embodiment of the presentinvention, some of the views provided by the present invention maygenerally divide the integrated construct into distinctive regions,representative of different kinds of thinking and knowledge work, asshown schematically in FIG. 6A. As shown in FIG. 6, in one embodiment,these regions as represented to users of the present invention generallycombine or relate different aspects of the present invention, such asthese three different items: (i) the portion of the integrated constructcontent and its structure which is associated with a particular region,as representing a particular kind of thinking or knowledge activity(e.g., the region associated with the topics the user has defined); (ii)the portions of method and process of the present invention, which maybe embedded in tools and guidance to assist the user in working on thatportion of the integrated construct, and otherwise provided in the stepsor portions of the method and process which that region is intended toenable; and (iii) the linkages between and among relevant components ofthe integrated construct content.

[0324] The present invention may use a number of different approaches todistinguish the different regions or types of thinking and knowledgework within the total representation to the user. For example, in oneembodiment of the present invention, such as in one of thethree-dimensional representations of the integrated construct, regions(types of thinking and knowledge work and their associated content) aredistinguished by the visual distinction of different bounded areaswithin the integrated construct representation. Examples of generalregions being distinguished in a 3-D representation of the presentinvention are shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C. The regions may be furtherdistinguished by color and background depiction or other graphicaldistinctions. In another embodiment of the present invention, theoutline or tree representation form of the integrated construct, theregions may be distinguished by the use of common color and graphiccharacteristics across the components within the region and through theproximity of like components to one another

[0325] Referring again to FIG. 3C, filtering of the ITKC contents andstructure in block 272 based on parameters for the new view, may alsoprovide a view of subset or “slice” of related components of theintegrated construct and associated methods and process required ordesired to work on that slice. FIG. 6D shows schematically the generalrelationships between slice views and regions provided by the presentinvention. Specifically, referring to FIG. 3C, in one embodiment, theview manager uses the parameters for the new view (block 270) to filterthe overall ITKC contents, structure, and linkages and available methodand process portions, as indicated in block 272. For subset or sliceviews, in one embodiment, the view manager may utilize a specificsubtopic as the basis for filtering (for example, the subtopic “Whocreated the Constitution?”). In this embodiment, the view manager maythen filter the ITKC components, linkages, and structure to select onlythose that are associated or have been linked to the subtopic “Whocreated the Constitution?” (for example, the information constructsJames Madison and George Washington, the analysis construct regarding acomparison of the beliefs of the framers, and any associated meaningstatements). The view manager may create such combination subset orslice views for all other components related to the component which isthe basis of the filtering (the subtopic above), and may create subsetor slice views for partial subsets (such as a partial subset or sliceview which includes the subtopic, information constructs, and analysisconstructs but which does not make the associated meaning statementsvisible in the particular view).

[0326]FIG. 7B show one embodiment of the use of regions and subset orslice views in a 2 dimensional embodiment. Referring to FIG. 7B, forexample, in one embodiment, regions may be implemented as areasaccessible by some structured or otherwise visible map, such as the tablike look shown in FIG. 7B, with regions indicated by blocks 70, 71, 72,73, 74, 76, and 78, and a mechanism for accessing subsets or slice viewsshown through the use of a navigatable menu or other visible oraccessible device, as shown in block 82. FIG. 7C shows a 2 dimensionalapproach with one embodiment of an individual subtopic view. Similarly,a 2 dimensional visual map of progress, associating components toregions and other indicators for preferred structure and/or process maynot be as compelling as 3 dimensional visual feedback, but again couldimplement the same or nearly same functionality. It should beappreciated that although the 2 dimensional embodiment may not have thesame advantages as the preferred 3 dimensional embodiment, it may wellprove the preferred embodiment for some classes of users and/orprojects.

[0327] The present invention therefore provides guidance generallyenables the user to move freely between the representational views whileutilizing the corresponding portions of the method and process of thepresent invention. FIG. 7 depicts one embodiment of links andnavigational paths between views or representations provided by theinvention. In addition, the present invention generally providesabilities to short cut navigational paths through physical manipulationof the representation, and instead navigate directly and quickly to thedesired component or view. This short cut navigation may be accomplishedthrough a plurality of mechanisms such as the use of conventional pulldown menus or assigned keys or others in accordance with the presentinvention.

[0328] As illustrated in FIG. 7, in one embodiment, specific viewsprovided by the present invention may include but are not limited to thefollowing: (i) topic set overview 702 and if needed topic set drilldownview; (ii) individual topic view and detail views 706; (iii) individualinformation construct view 710; (iv) individual analysis construct view720; (vi) information construct set view 715; (vi) analysis constructset view 725; (vii) linkage view 780; (viii) topic—meaning statementoverlay view 770; (ix) meaning statement overview 750; (x) answer orsummary view; (xi) integrated construct overall overview 700, and others

[0329] In one embodiment of the present invention, the precise layoutand appearance of views or representations can differ and stillaccomplish the desired workspace creation and relationships to otherworkspaces to embody the method and process of the present inventioneffectively for the user.

[0330] Preferably in all view types, the view manager provides theability for the user to be shown high level and more detailed depictionsof the integrated construct content, structure, linkages, and associatedportions of method and process. This may be accomplished through aplurality of user interaction mechanisms, including but not limited tosuch mechanisms as clicking “down” into a specific component, in orderto see the details within that components, as well as the ability tozoom in and zoom out on components of the integrated construct and theintegrated construct as a whole. When a three-dimensional representationis being used, the integrated construct representation may also bemanipulated such as rotated, turned, flipped, and otherwise maneuveredin a manner that has been seen to be used in the manipulation ofthree-dimensional renderings of physical objects. This facilitatesfurther visualization of the user's work on the project and also enablesthe user to look at the user's work on the project from different anglesthat may facilitate different thought processes of the user.

[0331] In one embodiment, representations or views provided by thepresent invention may employ a combination of visual characteristicsincluding a plurality of elements to provide visual distinction of thespecific characteristics of an integrated construct and the associatedthinking and knowledge processes, including but not limited to elementssuch as shape, structures, and color. Distinctions provided about theintegrated construct may include but not be limited to the following:(i) distinction of types of thinking and/or knowledge work activitiesand their associated content portions; (ii) distinction between regionsand sub-regions or portions of method and process that have been used inthe integrated construct versus those that have not yet been used, atthe point in which the integrated construct is being represented; (iii)distinction of integrated construct components which have been createdor initiated in the particular integrated construct; (iv) distinction ofintegrated construct components which are available for use but have notyet been included or initiated in the particular integrated construct;(v) distinction between regions and integrated construct componentswhich have information associated with them versus those which do notyet have any content or information associated with them (i.e., thosewhich are empty); (vi) distinction of integrated construct componentswhich have greater or lesser amounts of content associated with them atthe point in which the integrated construct is being represented; (vii)distinction between components of the integrated construct which arelinked to other components versus those which are associated with theintegrated construct but are not linked to other components in theintegrated construct; and (viii) distinction of components of anintegrated construct which may be linked to components or the totalityof other integrated constructs; and (ix) distinction of key aspects ofcomponents as being in existence or not, or being lightly completedversus comprehensive.

[0332] It should be appreciated that many specific forms or shapes oftwo and three-dimensional structures may be used to implement views ofthe integrated construct, and they are within the scope of the presentinvention. Examples of shapes which may be used for 3 dimensionalrepresentations in one embodiment are provided in FIGS. 6I through 6V.In one embodiment, hapes that can accommodate the followingcharacteristics are generally likely to be among those with an optimalshape for representation of a 3-D shape for the conveyance of theintegrated construct. For example, in one embodiment, shapes whichgenerally have the following properties may be used most readily toimplement a representation of the integrated construct in the mannerdescribed herein: (i) a manner of distinguishing levels or spaces whichallow for the distinction of different types of thinking and/orknowledge activities; (ii) a way of subdividing or otherwise showing theexistence of different entities within or associated with these levelsor spaces in order to reflect the types and/or numbers of the variousintegrated construct components the user is creating or viewing; (iii)proximity or the ability to achieve proximity or visible linkage betweencomponents which are closely related or need to be visually related inorder to accomplish work steps (and to facilitate a way to show and workwith the plurality of components and links between components of theintegrated construct, and to move between different combination viewsthat are important to work steps in a meaningful way); (iv) proximity orthe ability to otherwise achieve relationships between related views;and (v) a way of providing views and access into the individualcomponents that comprise the content and content relationships of thethinking and knowledge activities.

[0333] In one preferred embodiment, referring to FIG. 3C-20 block 286,the view manager utilizes a visual depiction of a three dimensional,physical-like structure as a key representational mechanism, which mayshow both navigational and therefore thinking and working relationshipsbetween the views, providing navigational access, as well as providingfeedback to the user regarding progress, as defined elsewhere herein. Ina preferred embodiment, t the 3 dimensional visual structure assists inconveying the potential and already used thinking and knowledge portionsof the method and process, as well as the components that have beenbuilt and their relationships. In one preferred embodiment, thethree-dimensional representation generally uses areas, levels and facetsof a three-dimensional representation structure to display theintegrated construct and its associated method and process portions. Forexample, in one embodiment, the view manager may use the differentlevels of a physical-like structure to differentiate, show progress in,and provide navigation to thinking and knowledge activities andresulting components of a similar type (for example, problem definitionthrough topics, analysis constructs, meaning statements, etc.).Similarly, in one embodiment, the view manager may use the sides,facets, or subareas of a physical like 3 dimensional representation todepict and convey the existence of different subset or slice views. Inone preferred embodiment, the view manager may use the levels and sidesof a 3 dimensional structure to define more specifically the basis forfiltering a subset or slice view.

[0334] In one embodiment, the invention may utilize at least twodifferent approaches to the 3 dimensional representation of theintegrated construct: 1) a 3D representation that is essentially viewsmapped onto or associated with the facets, surface areas, or spaces of a3 dimensional looking shape (as shown in FIG. 6F, and 2.) a 3Drepresentation that employs a three dimensional linked structure made upof the ITKC components and its linkages, either alone or in combinationwith the use of the facets, surface areas, or spaces of a 3 dimensionallooking shape. This latter embodiment may take on the look of a threedimensional molecule, with the various linked components of the ITKCarranged with visible links, and an emphasis on navigation through nodesand links as opposed to facets. Both of these as well as combination oradditional three dimensional approaches to representing the ITKC are tobe understood to be within the scope of this application. The use of 3dimensional representations may assist the user in working on a projectin an intuitive manner, and makes the totality of their project and thestatus of the user's use of method and process portions, as well as therelationships between components easily evident. It should be readilyappreciated by those skilled in the art that additional forms of 3dimensional representation of an integrated construct are includedwithin the scope of this invention.

[0335] User navigation of 2 dimensional, outline or tree, and matrixrepresentations provided by the present invention may be accomplished ina variety of mechanisms that are well understood by those skilled in theart, including but not limited to user selection of visible elements toinitiate action or see further detail, use of drop down menus, drag anddrop approaches, and others. In one embodiment, user navigation and useof the 3D representational views can occur in several ways. Two of theseways are described more fully herein. In one embodiment, the user mayuse an interaction device to select an area, facet, surface, orcomponent that is visible to the user in the 3D representations.

[0336] In one embodiment, the 3D representations may include both thecurrent visible central work view, and “next views” which are madevisible or accessible in an adjacent or otherwise visible area on therepresentation. The proximity of “next views” to the current visiblecentral work view is one way in which the present invention providesguidance to the user in thinking, as the “next views” represent naturalnext work steps the user may wish to chose next. Referring to FIG. 6F,one mechanism provided by the present invention to enable guided butflexible movement between the different thinking and work steps in aninquiry based project is the provisioning of current visible views (suchas the slice view depicted by block 82 a on FIG. 6D) and views which arealso visible and therefore appear closely related (as depicted by block82 b on FIG. 6F), which may be referred to as “next visible views,” Andviews which are implied to be available because of the edges or otherlogically available surfaces, areas, or structures that comprise the 3Dstructure that is being used, as in those noted as “implied relatedviews” depicted by block 82 c in FIG. 6F. The design and structure ofthe views, and their visible adjacency or placement in relation to oneanother, is one way in which the present invention provides guidance tothe user in portions of method to consider next, while allowingsignificant freedom in addressing the problem. In this embodiment, theview manager may provide additional direct navigation to less relatedviews through the use of mechanisms such as drop down menus and others.Other views (and corresponding work areas) may also be available to theuser, and provided in a drop down menu or other fashion. This is inkeeping with the design of the present invention that it provides someguidance to the user but also allows the user to move fairly freelythroughout the method and process. The user therefore can choose to movefrom the current visible central work area to a “next view” being shownto them in the representation, by selecting the next view area (or othervisible indicator for a next view) with an interactive device. Upon theuser selecting such a “next view” (as shown in FIG. 3A, block 110), theuser action is evaluated (FIG. 3A, block 302), and if a change in viewis warranted, the View Manager (FIG. 3A block 200) changes the viewbeing displayed to the chosen next visible view, including the currentcontent and structure of the integrated construct (FIG. 3A). The ViewManager (FIG. 3A, block 200) provides the appropriate representation tothe user, in keeping with the specifics of the 3D format that is beingused or has been chosen, in keeping with the above.

[0337] The definition of Next Visible Views as used herein includesviews that are logically apparent to the user but which may not be fullyvisible or indeed visible from the current view. Referring to FIG. 6E,for example, the areas noted as 82 b-1 and 82 b-2 are indeed areas thatrepresent access to views for additional subtopics, and are Next VisibleViews. Continuing with FIG. 6E, areas notes as 82 b-4 are also NextVisible Views, although only the edge of the facet belonging to thatview and the label for the subtopic may be visible from the currentview. Also in FIG. 6E, area 82 b-5 is also a View which is available tothe user, by moving an interactive device to the edge of the constructthat is the boundary of the “bottom” facet or view, by using theinteractive device to select just below the visible Current View, or byother interactive mechanisms including but not limited to a pull downmenu.

[0338] Accordingly, user manipulation of the 3 dimensionalrepresentation is provided by the present invention is provided in anumber of ways: 1.) the user may rotate, flip, zoom in and out orotherwise manipulate the 3 dimensional representation of the integratedconstruct through the use of a number of different mechanisms andthereby “move” to a different, selected view; 2.) the user may select anarea, facet, or other component of the 3 dimensional representation byusing an interactive device (such as a mouse and double clicking on theportion of the representation that indicates the presence of the nextview), thereby causing the representation to be replaced by the selectednext view; and/or 3.) the user may use a navigator icon or similarinterface device to indicate directional movement. One embodiment of theuse of a navigator icon or similar interface device is described furtherbelow.

[0339] In one embodiment, user navigation from one “view” to another ofthe integrated construct—as associated with the different regions,facets, or other areas of a 3 dimensional looking structure—may beaccomplished through the use of a directional navigator device (see FIG.7E for one example of such an interface device). In this embodiment, avisual device with sections or other elements that indicate directionmay be provided to the user on views. In this embodiment, if the userselects the component indicating the direction of “left” for example,the View Manager changes the current view to provide the representationthat is associated with the next left most facet or area of theintegrated construct. Specifically, for example, if the user is viewinga Question “side” View of the Construct, and selects or otherwiseactivates the “left” directional indicator in the navigator device, thenthe View Manager changes the view to correspond with the next left mostview—in this case, the Question “side” View to the left of the previousview. Similarly, in one embodiment, if while viewing a Question “side”View of the Construct, the user selects or otherwise indicates the “up”directional indicator in the navigator device, the View Manager changesthe view to correspond with the view which is “above” or “up” from thecurrent view—in this example, the Topic Set or Topic Subset View. Theuse of significantly greater numbers or different forms of directionalindicators for use in navigating a 3D or 2D representational view of anIntegrated Construct are readily within the scope of this invention.

[0340] In one embodiment of such a navigator device, the central regionshows a depiction of the overall shape of the integrated construct,selection of which central region of the navigator device results in theView Manager presenting the user with the Integrated Construct OverallView, as described in greater detail later in this document. It shouldbe readily apparent that the use of other interaction approaches devices(such as the physical directional movement of a mouse, use of a gaminginteractive device, use of a pen, touch screen or other interactionmechanism) to accomplish navigation and use of a 3 dimensionalrepresentation of an integrated construct does not depart from the scopeof this invention.

[0341] In another embodiment of a navigator device, the view manager mayprovide the user with a miniaturized representation of the IntegratedConstruct as a navigational device. In this embodiment, while on anygiven representational view, the user may then use this miniaturizedview or map of the overall Integrated Construct to select a specificview, portion or component of the Integrated Construct with some form ofinteractive device. Upon such selection, again, the View Manager thenchanges the representation of the Integrated Construct to the newlyselected view or component. It should be readily appreciated that theuse of any such visual or textual map of an overall inquiry basedprocess and integrated construct as a navigational device would bereadily within the scope of this invention.

[0342] The value and advantage of the views and representations of theintegrated construct are not dependent upon the precise coloration,shape, or screen placement of the components being provided in eachslice, region, component-specific, component set or overall integratedconstruct representation. It should be appreciated that the samefunctionality and same or similar advantage can be provided by somewhatdifferent implementations of these representations. For example,changing the icons, coloration, sizing, or screen placement of thecomponents, or in some cases even the selection of the specificcomponents being provided on the view would not materially change thefunction provided by the invention. In one embodiment of the presentinvention, the user is provided with the ability to define the preferredplacement of items to appear in the various views.

[0343] The integrated construct may also be implemented in a physicalmanner, as in a physical model to be used in a classroom or otherlearning situation to discuss and define the thinking and knowledgecomponents of an archetype project and process. An additional physicalembodiment of the integrated thinking and knowledge construct is in theuse of the construct for a physical exhibit, as in a museum setting.

[0344] Referring again to FIG. 7, examples of representations that maybe provided by the present invention are described below.

[0345] Topic Set Overview View

[0346] Referring to FIG. 7, block 702, he topic set overviewrepresentation 702 provides the user with the totality of their topicset (being the definition of the problem, issues, questions or othermeans of defining the focus of the inquiry based project), as it existsat the time the view is performed. In one embodiment of the presentinvention, the topic set is represented in the form of a web asillustrated in the partial example of FIG. 5A-42. An alternativeembodiment may provide the topic set in the form of an outline asillustrated in FIG. 4A-10.

[0347] In one embodiment of the present invention, the following areincluded in the topic set overview: (i) main topic; (ii) sub-topics;(iii) secondary subtopics; (iv) any additional levels of subtopics; (v)linkages between all elements in the topic set; and (vi) method andprocess associated with the topic set, including the ability to create,change, edit, link, and rearrange topics, as well as problem definitionor topic definition help or assistance. In one embodiment of the presentinvention, the top of the three-dimensional overview representation isdesignated for the topic set overview view In a preferred embodiment, aswith all views of the integrated construct, the components that appearin this view are all generally actionable by the user (unless thecomponents have been otherwise designated as unchangeable as discussedelsewhere herein). This means that the user may select any one of themto review, change, or add to any of the content or structure of theselected component, with the same range of functionality generally aswhen the user first created that component.

[0348] Topic Set Drill Down View

[0349] Similar to the topic set overview, the present invention mayprovide a view of the integrated construct which enables the user toreview portions of the total topic set and its linkages andrelationships in additional detail, indicated on FIG. 7 by block 704,for example to view a subset of a large or complex topic set This viewmay be most applicable in more complex integrated constructs.Capabilities for the subset of topics provided is similar to thatprovided for the Topic Set View.

[0350] Individual Topic View

[0351] Referring again to FIG. 7, block 706, in one embodiment, the viewmanager provides an individual topic (or subtopic or secondary subtopicas described elsewhere herein) view that generally enables the user toreview and work on the subset of the total integrated construct which isassociated with an individual topic (or subtopic), question, issue,problem or other means of defining the focus of an inquiry basedproject. In one embodiment of the present invention, the number ofIndividual topic views available corresponds to the number of subtopicsthe user has defined within the integrated construct. In anotherembodiment of the present invention, the number of individual topicviews available corresponds to the number of secondary subtopics, whichcan be accessed from either the topic set overview view, or a topic setdrilldown view as appropriate, and others. Similar subseting views maybe provided to accommodate the nature and complexity of the specificintegrated construct.

[0352] The individual topic (or subtopic or secondary or other subtopic)view 706 generally represents the totality of the integrated constructwhich is associated at any given point in the development of an inquirybased project with the individual topic, question, problem or issue ofinterest (or first type of thinking structure). In this manner, thepresent invention may then provide a meaningful subset of thepotentially complex total integrated construct structure, and enablefocus by the user on working on one meaningful slice. An example of one3-D embodiment for the components and depiction of an individual topic(subtopic or secondary subtopic) view is shown in FIG. 7A and maygenerally include: (i) subtopic or secondary, or other subtopic which isthe subject of the view; (ii) any associated data, information,information elements and/or information constructs which have thus farbeen linked to or associated with the subtopic or secondary subtopic;(iii) any associated analysis constructs which have thus far been linkedto or associated with the subtopic or secondary or other subtopic; (iv)any meaning statements which have been linked to or associated with thesubtopic or secondary subtopic; (v) any notes regarding what is to bedone next, what additional information is needed or, relevant projectplan items which have been linked to or associated with the subtopic orsecondary subtopic; (vi) access to project plans, especially any plannedresearch; (v) access to electronic information sources (as describedelsewhere herein) and (vi) access to related portions of the method andprocess of the present invention for the assistance or guidance in eachof the above associated component types, as well as the method andprocess associated with creating, editing, or otherwise modifying theassociated component types above, and others. FIG. 7A depicts a threedimensional ITKC with a individual subtopic view which thus far has 2information constructs associated with it (George Washington and JamesMadison) but has not yet developed meaning or analysis for thissubtopic.

[0353] The present invention further provides for more detailed views ofcomponents associated with individual subtopics or secondary subtopics.It is to be appreciated that such additional detailed views follow fromand are in accordance with the present invention on any or all of theadditional views or representations provided.

[0354] Individual Meaning Statement View

[0355] Referring again to FIG. 7, the individual meaning statement viewblock 730 enables the user to view and work on the subset of the entireintegrated construct that has been or is to be associated with anindividual meaning statement. In one embodiment of the presentinvention, the number of individual highest level meaning statementsviews available correspond to the number of meaning statements createdat the highest level as defined by the user within the integratedconstruct. In another embodiment of the present invention, the number ofindividual meaning statement views available correspond to the number ofsecondary meaning statements.

[0356] The individual meaning statement view generally represents thetotality of the integrated construct, which is associated thus far withan individual meaning statement (or second type of thinking structure).In this manner, the present invention may provide a meaningful subset ofthe potentially complex total integrated construct structure, and enablefocus by the user on working on one meaningful slice. The meaningstatement view may generally provide a focus on working on what theinformation and analysis components mean to the user, building toward ananswer or summary view. The meaning statement view is likely to besignificantly different than the views that are provided based on theindividual topics, as described above. An example of one embodiment ofthe individual meaning statement view generally may include any or allof the following: (i) a meaning statement or secondary meaning statementwhich is the focus of the view; (ii) any associated information,information elements or Information constructs which have thus far beenlinked to or associated with the meaning statement or secondary meaningstatement; (iii) any associated analysis constructs which have beenlinked to or associated with the meaning statement or secondary meaningstatement; (iv) any notes regarding what to do next, relevant projectplan which have thus far been linked to or associated with the specificmeaning statement or secondary meaning statement; and (v) access to anymethod or process associated with all of the above.

[0357] As with all representations provided by the present invention,the components represented on the meaning statement view are allgenerally actionable by the user. This means that the components can be:(i) selected to reveal their detailed contents; (ii) edited or changed;(iii) deleted; or (iv) replaced or enhanced with new or additionalcomponents.

[0358] Individual Information Construct View

[0359] Referring to FIG. 7, block 710, information constructs that havebeen created are indicated and made available in severalrepresentational views as icons, labels, or thumbnails of theircontents. If the user selects a previously created Informationconstruct, generally according to interactive mechanisms describedherein or generally used in the art, the contents associated with theselected information construct are displayed via the individualinformation construct view.

[0360] As with all representations provided by the present invention,the components displayed in the individual information construct vieware generally actionable, unless they have been protected from change bya previous author. This means they can generally be edited, changed,deleted, or added to readily from the individual information constructview. In one embodiment, the individual information construct view maygenerally include the following: (i) information construct label ortitle; (ii) information construct type (as chosen, or undefined); (iii)information construct unformatted information elements; (iv) informationconstruct formatted information elements; (v) links to other informationconstructs; (vi) links to analysis constructs; (vii) links to availabletopics, subtopics, secondary topics; (viii) links to available meaningstatements; and (ix) access to method and process associated with thecreation and editing of the information construct and its linkages

[0361] Individual Analysis Construct View

[0362] Referring to FIG. 7, block 720, analysis constructs that havebeen created are similarly available in many representational views asicons, labels, or thumbnails of their contents. If the user selects apreviously created analysis construct, according to interactivemechanisms described herein or those generally used in the art, thecontents associated with the selected analysis construct are displayedvia the individual analysis construct view.

[0363] As with the other representations provided by the presentinvention, the components displayed in the individual analysis constructview are generally actionable, unless they have been specificallyprotected from change by a previous author. This means they generallycan be edited, changed, deleted, or added to readily from the individualanalysis construct view. In addition, links that appear in therepresentational view are generally available as navigation means toaccess the detail associated with the linked component.

[0364] The individual analysis construct view 720 of FIG. 7 generallymay include the following: (i) analysis construct label or title; (ii)analysis construct field for observational comment regarding theanalysis construct; (iii) related information constructs; (iv) relatedinformation elements of information constructs; (v) related analysisconstructs; (vi) related available subtopics, and secondary subtopics;(vii) related available meaning statements; (viii) other availableinformation constructs in existence at the time of viewing; (ix)information construct formatted information elements; and (x) access tomethod and process associated with the analysis construct or relatedfunctions.

[0365] Collection of Information Constructs View

[0366] Referring again to FIG. 7, the collection of informationconstructs view block 715 generally may provide a representation of thetotality of information constructs created for or associated with theintegrated construct at the time the view is so created. Icons,thumbnails, lists, and/or labels of such items or other forms thereofmay be used to depict this inventory of information constructs to date.Information constructs so displayed in such a representation areactionable (unless protected from change earlier) as in any other view:for viewing at a detailed level, for editing, for viewing or changinglinks, etc. In one embodiment, the representation of the collection ofinformation constructs created may include a grouping of the informationconstructs according to type, and a visual distinction of how much dataor information is contained in or otherwise associated with theparticular Information construct. In anther embodiment, therepresentation of the collection of information constructs allows forgrouping by category, theme, or other meaningful group, as discussedearlier herein.

[0367] Collection of Analysis Constructs View

[0368] Referring again to FIG. 7, the collection of analysis constructsview 725 may generally provide a representation of the totality ofanalysis constructs created for or associated with the integratedconstruct at the time the view is so created. Icons, thumbnails, lists,and/or labels of such items or other similar forms thereof may be usedto depict this inventory of analysis constructs to date. Analysisconstructs so displayed in such a representation are generallyactionable as in any other view (except where otherwise protected): forviewing at a detailed level, for editing, for viewing or changing links,etc. In one embodiment, the representation of the collection of analysisconstructs created may include a grouping of the analysis constructsaccording to type, and a visual distinction of how much data orinformation is contained in or otherwise associated with the particularanalysis construct. In another embodiment, the collection of analysisconstructs may be represented in groups or categories according to theirlinkage to subtopics or meaning statements, or other categories orgroups.

[0369] Answer or Summary Set

[0370] Referring to FIG. 7, block 760, the preferred embodiment furtherprovides for a view, which focuses on the answer or summary set, and arelated view, block 750 that allows for the representation of both theanswer or summary set and the meaning statements as a set.

[0371] Topic Meaning Statement Overlay View

[0372] Referring again to FIG. 7 block 770, the present invention mayprovide a view which represents the topic set and the meaning statementset of the respective integrated construct, and which depicts therelationships between these two thinking structures of the integratedconstruct.

[0373] Linkage View

[0374] Referring to FIG. 7, the linkage view 780 representation may begenerally available at any time for any component associated with theintegrated construct. In one embodiment, the linkage view is providedwhen the user selects any component, and the user activates the rightclick on the computer mouse. In another embodiment, the linkage view isprovided when the user selects any component and a subsequent choice ismade from a menu provided. There are any number of specific user actionsthat may be used to trigger the display of the linkage viewrepresentation, without departing from the scope or the intent of thepresent invention.

[0375] When the user invokes the linkage view, a representation isprovided which shows all linkages from the chosen component to othercomponents within the integrated construct at the time therepresentation is accessed. In one embodiment, the linkage view of aknowledge construct shows only links between knowledge constructs (beinginformation constructs and analysis constructs), as opposed to links toall thinking constructs (topics, meaning statements, answers). In oneembodiment, the integrated construct component, which is the focus ofthe linkage view, is shown as the component in the center of therepresentation The integrated construct component, which is the focus ofthe linkage view, can be selected by the user in order to show thecontents of the component, as described for example, in the individualinformation construct view or individual analysis construct viewdescribed above. FIG. 7D is an example of a linkage view of oneembodiment.

[0376] Overall Integrated Construct Overview

[0377] Referring to FIG. 7, when the overall integrated constructoverview 700 is invoked by the user, a representation is provided whichshows a depiction of the overall integrated construct, as it exists atthe time the representation is invoked. Regions and other views aregenerally available to the user to select from this overall integratedconstruct overview, by selecting the portion of the integrated constructvisible which the user wishes to see in greater detail. Selection of aportion of the depiction of the overall integrated construct invokes theappropriate next representation, with its associated content and methodand process then available to the user.

[0378] In one embodiment of the overall integrated construct overview,color and shapes may be used to distinguish and depict the boundaries ofthe various regions, slice or other views. In addition, the placementand shape of the facets and areas of the integrated construct asdepicted in the overall integrated construct overview may be used todistinguish the views of combinations of components which are availableto the user, and which thereby provide the user with the content,linkages of the integrated construct and the method and process portionsrelevant to creating, editing, and viewing the components of theintegrated construct. As has been described elsewhere above, the overallintegrated construct depiction is specifically designed to provide anoverall view of the progress the structure and process of the user'sITKC is making, and uses a number of visual distinction mechanisms, asdefined elsewhere herein, to depict this progress and imply the userwhere they might want to focus their energies next. Whether provided asa 3-D physical-like representation, an outline, a matrix or othervisualization, the depiction of the integrated construct provides avisualization and map of the total project, its components, linkages andthe steps that have been taken in its construction.

[0379] As used herein the term arbitrary problem includes qualitativeexpressions of problems, quantitative problems, and combinationsthereof.

[0380] In addition, the description often uses the term “construct” inconnection with the description of preferred implementations. By thisterm it is meant and organized collection of the relevant data. The termis not meant to be limited to any particular form of data structure ororganization, though certain preferred implementations organize dataaccording to object oriented design principles.

[0381] When referring to the term “archetype” as in archetype process orarchetype structure, the intent is to cover exemplary, though notnecessarily optimal, processes or structures.

[0382] When referring to the term “integrated” the intent is to coverthings operating harmoniously, or uniting components that werepreviously regarded as separate.

[0383] In the foregoing detailed description of the present invention,and its preferred and example embodiments discussed herein, reference ismade in part to the accompanying drawings that form a part thereof. Thedrawings in conjunction with the following description and explanationshow by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the inventionmay be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may beutilized and structural and functional changes may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention.

[0384] It will be appreciated that the scope of the present invention isnot limited to the above described embodiments but rather is defined bythe appended claims, and that these claims will encompass modificationsof and improvements to what has been described.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for facilitating user thinking about anarbitrary problem, comprising: first logic to facilitate userspecification of the problem to populate a problem statement structure;second logic to facilitate user specification of a conclusion statement,related to the problem statement, to populate a conclusion statementstructure; third logic to facilitate user creation and specification ofknowledge, related to at least one of the problem statement and theconclusion statement, to populate a knowledge structure; model logic totrack user interaction with the first through third logic to construct auser model structure of user development and population of the usermodel structure, conclusion statement structure, and knowledgestructure; and structure analysis logic to analyze the user modelstructure relative to an archetype model structure.
 2. The system ofclaim 1 wherein the archetype model structure is a dynamic structurethat changes in response to the user model structure.
 3. The system ofclaim 1 wherein the archetype model structure is specified in a set ofrules specifying relationships among the problem structure, conclusionstatement structure, and knowledge structure.
 4. The system of claim 1wherein the user specification of knowledge includes the userspecification of data and wherein the knowledge structure is a datastructure to hold data.
 5. The system of claim 1 wherein the userspecification of knowledge includes the user specification ofinformation and wherein the knowledge structure is an informationstructure to hold information.
 6. The system of claim 1 wherein the userspecification of knowledge includes the user specification of analysisand wherein the knowledge structure is an analysis structure to holdanalysis.
 7. The system of claim 1 further including fourth logic tofacilitate user specification of at least one subtopic statement,related to the problem, to populate a corresponding at least onesubtopic statement structure to disaggregate the problem into relatedsubtopics, and wherein the model logic tracks user interaction with thefirst through fourth logic to construct a user model structure of userdevelopment and population of the problem structure, conclusionstatement structure, knowledge structure, and the at least one subtopicstatement structure.
 8. The system of claim 7 further including fifthlogic to facilitate user specification of at least one meaningstatement, related to a corresponding at least one problem or subtopicstatement, to populate a corresponding at least one meaning statementstructure, and wherein the model logic tracks user interaction with thefirst through fifth logic to construct a user model structure of userdevelopment and population of the problem structure, conclusionstatement structure, knowledge structure, the at least one subtopicstatement structure, and the at least one meaning statement structure.9. The system of claim 1 further including logic to cause a presentationto the user, including depiction of suggested next steps for the user.10. The system of claim 1 further including logic to present to the userat least a subset of content of the problem statement structure, theconclusion statement structure, and the knowledge structure.
 11. Thesystem of claim 10 wherein the logic to present includes logic to depictrelationships among content of the problem statement structure, theconclusion statement structure, and the knowledge structure.
 12. Thesystem of claim 11 wherein the logic to depict relationships includeslogic to depict hierarchical relationships.
 13. The system of claim 12wherein the logic to present depicts all relationships among the problemstatement structure, the conclusion statement structure, and theknowledge structure.
 14. The system of claim 13 wherein the logic topresent includes logic to present user controls to create at least onenew problem statement structure, conclusion statement structure, orknowledge structure.
 15. The system of claim 13 wherein the logic topresent includes logic to present user controls to modify at least oneof the problem statement structure, the conclusion statement structure,and the knowledge structure.
 16. The system of claim 10 wherein thelogic to present includes logic to present structures all of similartype.
 17. The system of claim 16 wherein the logic to present includeslogic to present user controls to modify or create at least one of theproblem statement structure, the conclusion statement structure, and theknowledge structure.
 18. The system of claim 10 wherein the logic topresent includes logic to present an individual structure only.
 19. Thesystem of claim 18 wherein the logic to present includes logic topresent user controls to modify or create at least one of the problemstatement structure, the conclusion statement structure, and theknowledge structure.
 20. The system of claim 1 wherein the control logicincludes logic to provide suggestion feedback to the user of next stepsfor a user to take, wherein the logic to provide suggestion feedback isresponsive to prior user interactions.
 21. The system of claim 20wherein the logic to provide suggestion feedback includes logic toperform gap analysis on the at least a subset of the problem statementstructure, the conclusion statement structure, the knowledge structure,and the relations therebetween to suggest next steps for the user tocreate or populate structures identified from the gap analysis.
 22. Thesystem of claim 21 wherein the logic to perform gap analysis includeslogic to analyze linkages among the at least one of the problemstatement structure, the conclusion statement structure, and theknowledge structure to detect gaps.
 23. The system of claim 21 whereinthe logic to provide suggestion feedback includes filtering logic todetermine whether to provide suggestion feedback based on the state ofdevelopment of the user interactions.
 24. The system of claim 20 whereinthe logic to provide suggestions includes content analysis logic toanalyze content entered by the user to determine relevant suggestionsfor next steps to the user.
 25. The system of claim 24 wherein thecontent analysis logic parses user entry to determine if the entrycorresponds to a predefined set of phrases.
 26. The system of claim 20wherein the logic to provide suggestions includes relationship analysislogic to identify suggestions of next steps according to predefinedrelationship criteria.
 27. The system of claim 20 wherein the logic toprovide suggestions includes logic to present suggestions for next stepsto the user in a visually distinctive manner.
 28. The system of claim 27wherein the logic to present suggestions for next steps to the userpresents user controls in emphasis.
 29. The system of claim 27 whereinthe logic to present suggestions for next steps to the user presentsworkspace controls to activate a workspace corresponding to suggestednext steps in proximity to a current workspace.
 30. The system of claim20 wherein the logic to provide suggestion feedback includes logic toprovide content analysis of at least one of the problem statementstructure, the conclusion statement structure, and the knowledgestructure.